Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide range of different treatment settings with a variety of different treatment methods. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be done on an outpatient basis, where the individual will typically participate in treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the person to stay in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is particularly beneficial in handling more severe cases of addiction. Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment can be done on a short term or long term basis, depending on various circumstances which can be different for each person. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the individual physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on the root psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

Detoxification is usually the first step in getting off drugs. It enables a person to be in a supervised setting while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are diverse types of detoxification. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A typical mistake that many addicts make is to think that detox is enough to kick their habit. This is rarely the case. All detox does is get an individual through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is always recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to find out the root of why someone was using drugs in the first place.

Methadone detoxification is a process which must be overseen by addiction professionals within a drug rehabilitation facility who realize how challenging and difficult methadone detox can be. Methadone detox is regarded to be far more severe in terms of symptoms and duration than even heroin detox, and users frequently revert back to methadone to ease withdrawal symptoms or, worse yet, turn to heroin or prescription opioids to ease symptoms. This is why methadone detox must only be done under close supervision at a drug rehabilitation center which has experience in dealing with this type of detoxification, and where the person can receive additional treatment services to address all addiction issues.

Drug treatment programs which are provided on an outpatient basis are available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehabilitation program. An outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation program offers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug treatment program where the person is required to remain at the rehabilitation program until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug or alcohol rehab is also available for individuals who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but require a thorough aftercare and relapse prevention program which will offer further support and treatment to help them remain clean and sober.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug rehabilitation there are a number of concerns unique to their situation that need to be addressed. This specific group of addicted persons faces not only the personal shame of their addiction but also the reality of what their unhealthy choices may have caused their children. Recovery for pregnant/postpartum women often requires programs that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. Although the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is recognized that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of a successful recovery. Many rehab facilities for pregnant/postpartum women can run long-term for six months or more.

Recovery from drug addiction is a process that can be difficult and in a lot ofways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in treatment facilities designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol typicallyhave personal issues that are considerably different than that of males. In a drug treatment center where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more at ease and will be able to work through her personal issues that led to her drug abuse and addiction problems. Statistics show that up to seventy percent of drug abusing women report having some type of sexual or physical abuse in their past. These sensitive issues are easier to address in the company of other women without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs created solely for men are rising up across the nation. Although programs that work with both men and women continue to be the standard for drug rehabilitation, many facilities are providing programs intended to help a particular target group. These centers are able to focus on what their client's personal needs are in a way that standard programs are not. While these specialized types of rehabilitation programs are not necessary for all recovering addicts, many men are selecting men-only drug and alcohol treatment programs. This treatment option is excellent for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult memories from the past. Recovering from addiction is a challenging process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a very good way of receiving the support needed to make the process that much more bearable and successful.

Self payment drug and alcohol treatment programs are an outstanding alternative to other types of rehabilitation facilities i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. People who are capable of attending self payment programs pay for their entire treatment process out of pocket. Keep in mind though, this does not mean that they will not have access to financial assistance if needed. It just means that self payment is their primary method of covering the cost of their drug rehabilitation program. To learn more about self payment programs, make contact with a drug rehabilitation facility and inquire as to their payment options. It is a good idea to contact several programs so that you have a comparison of your choices regarding treatment options and payment options.