Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide variety of distinct 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 individual to stay in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is particularly beneficial in resolving more severe cases of addiction. Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment can be done on a short term or long term basis, depending on different circumstances which can be different for each individual. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on underlying psychological and emotional issues.

Detoxification is generally the 1st step in getting off drugs. It allows a person to be in a supervised environment while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are different types of detoxification. Theyrange from drug-free to medically supervised. A widespread mistake that many addicts make is to believe that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is hardly ever the case. All detox does is get a person through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is often recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to find out the root of why an individual was using drugs in the first place.

Drug or alcohol treatment services which are offered on an outpatient basis are available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to take part in an inpatient rehabilitation center. An outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program provides many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation center where the person is required to stay and reside at the rehab facility until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug treatment is also offered for those who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but require a comprehensive aftercare and relapse prevention program which will provide further support and therapy to help them remain clean and sober.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug or alcohol rehabilitation there are numerous issues unique to their situation that need to be addressed. This particular 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 typically requires programs that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. Although the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's specific needs it is understood that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of lasting sobriety. Many programs for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

Rehabilitation from drug or alcohol addiction is a process that can be challenging and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in rehab programs created specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol typicallyhave personal issues that are much different than that of males. In a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more at ease and will be able to share her personal issues that led to her substance abuse and addiction problems. Statistics show that up to seventy percent of women with addiction problems 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 ridicule.

Drug rehabilitation facilities created specifically for men are popping up across the nation. Although programs that work with both men and women continue to be the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many rehab centers are providing programs designed to help a particular target group. These centers are able to focus on what their client's particular needs are in a way that standard facilities cannot provide. Although these specialized types of rehab programs are not needed for all recovering addicts, many men are choosing men-only drug rehab programs. This treatment option is ideally suited for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult issues from the past. Recovering from addiction is a difficult process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a good way of receiving the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

Self payment drug and alcohol treatment facilities are a great alternative to other types of rehabilitation programs 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 rehab program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug rehabilitation center and ask about their payment options. It is beneficial to contact several facilities so that you have a comparison of your choices regarding treatment options and payment options.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is offered to people in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid is dependent on income and other factors including whether or not the person has dependents and if they receive any other assistance. Medicaid may even cover the costs associated with drug or alcohol rehabilitation, and there are a lot of drug rehab centers throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Most drug rehabilitation programs which are covered through Medicaid may only provide a limited treatment curriculum and may only supply such treatment on a short term basis, typically 30 days or less. People who have Medicaid should look for which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to reap the full benefits of such a program.