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.

Drug or alcohol rehabilitation services which are delivered on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehabilitation program. An outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center delivers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug treatment facility where the individual is expected to remain at the rehab center until treatment has been fully completed. Outpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation is also offered for those who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but also need a comprehensive aftercare program which will offer additional support and therapy to help them avoid relapse.

It is not unusual for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in a drug rehab program receiving help for severe addiction problems. Often individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases because of certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty syringes to inject drugs or becoming involved in risky sexual behavior because of lowered sexual inhibitions caused by drug use. Persons with HIV/AIDS deserve effective rehabilitation just like any otherwise healthy addicted person. Drug and alcohol rehab facilities that accept and cater to persons with HIV/AIDS provide specialized care to address any health issues that may come up in the course of treatment. This way, any physical barriers to recovery are resolved so that they can overcome their addiction and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

Whether it is apparent or not, seniors and older adults encompass a significant percentage of individuals in the United States who struggle with drug and/or alcohol abuse and addiction. As the baby boomer generation ages, this will become an even bigger problem with an even bigger need for drug treatment facilities which are prepared to treat seniors and older adults who are in need of rehabilitation for addiction issues. Seniors and older adults are faced with many physical challenges as a result of their age, which can have an impact on treatment outcome if not addressed concurrently. It is beneficial for seniors and older adults to seek rehabilitation before any long term consequences arise.

DUI/DWI offenders are typically required to participate in a specific number of hours either in counseling, meetings or a substance abuse treatment program. Each state has its own requirements when it comes to retribution for the DUI/DWI offender. Offenders who are considered to be low to moderate DUI/DWI offenders will typically be required to participate in some form of group counseling or therapy. These are sometimes referred to as "Level I & Level II Alcohol Classes". These meetings are usually held by a professional in the field of addiction recovery or a person with long-term sobriety involved in the Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous groups. DUI/DWI offenders considered to be serious offenders will likely have to serve jail time at a minimum before beginning their mandatory counseling or alcohol rehabilitation program.

Criminal justice clients typically need drug rehabilitation because of their problems with drug and alcohol abuse. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are distinct steps and guidelines that must be adhered to in order to be accepted into a criminal justice substance abuse treatment facility or recovery program. The initial step is to figure out the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is completed by a panel of officials who determine how much and what type of drug is necessary. Often, the criminal justice clients obtain their drug treatment while they are incarcerated. For the best possible results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery process once they leave jail and enroll in sober living or a long-term residential transitional living program.

Self payment drug and alcohol treatment programs are a great alternative to other types of rehabilitation centers i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. People who are able to attend self payment programs pay for their entire rehabilitation 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 or alcohol rehabilitation program. To learn more about self payment programs, make contact with a drug rehab program and inquire as to their payment options. It is beneficial to contact several facilities so that you have a comparison of your choices with regards to rehab options and payment methods.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is made available to individuals in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid depends greatly on income and other circumstances such as whether or not the individual has dependents and if they receive any other financial assistance. Medicaid may possibly even cover the costs associated with drug rehab, and there are a lot of drug treatment centers throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Many drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs which are covered through Medicaid may only provide a limited treatment curriculum and may only provide such treatment on a short term basis, usually 30 days or less. Individuals who have Medicaid should look for which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to acquire the full benefits of such a program.