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.

Self payment drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs are an excellent alternative to other types of treatment centers i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. People who are capable of attending 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 treatment program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, contact a substance abuse rehabilitation program and inquire as to their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of facilities so that you have an understanding of your choices with regards to rehab options and payment options.

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 even cover the costs associated with drug rehabilitation, and there are many drug treatment facilities throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Many drug rehabilitation facilities 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. People who have Medicaid should explore which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to reap the full benefits of such a program.

Drug addiction and alcoholism affects many older Americans and seniors, and this problem continues to grow as each year passes. Seniors who are covered through the Medicare program, an insurance plan funded through the federal government for Americans in this age bracket, can use their Medicare benefits to receive treatment services for addiction at a wide variety of substance abuse rehab centers around the country. Medicare covers both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facilities, and seniors who wish to receive treatment can consult with their primary care physician to choose a rehab program covered by Medicare which would be suitable for them.

Some people are covered through state financed insurance because they do not qualify for Medicaid. Some states however offer affordable health insurance to those individuals who cannot afford private health insurance. State financed health insurance programs will in some cases cover the costs associated with substance abuse treatment at a wide variety of drug rehab programs around the country. State financed insurance other than Medicaid may cover both inpatient or outpatient drug rehabilitation services. To find out which rehab facilities will accept state financed insurance, consult a substance abuse treatment professional.

Paying for drug or alcohol rehab can be a challenge, because typically all resources have been exhausted due to the persons addiction. Many drug treatment facilities fully grasp this reality which is why many drug rehabilitation programs across the nation offer payment options known as a sliding scale fee. There are many factors put into the equation of determining what the fee will be from person to person, and these factors are based on individual circumstances such as income, cash on hand, living circumstances, the size of one's family etc. Sliding scale fees have been in use for some time as most drug and alcohol rehab programs would prefer to find a way to make it work financially so that those that need addiction help can acquire the help they need.