Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide variety of different treatment settings with a variety of different treatment approaches. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis, where the person will typically attend 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 serious cases of addiction. Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment can be done on a short term or long term basis, depending on unique circumstances which can be different for each individual. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on the root psychological and emotional issues.

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

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug or alcohol rehabilitation there are several issues unique to their situation that must 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 facilities 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 recognized 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.

Self payment substance abuse treatment programs are an outstanding alternative to other types of treatment facilities i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. Individuals who are capable of attending self payment programs pay for their entire rehab 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. To learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug or alcohol rehab facility and ask about their payment options. It is beneficial to contact a number of facilities so that you have a comparison of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment methods.