Substance abuse treatment is offered in a wide range 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 person will typically receive 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 individual. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on the root psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

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

Residential short-term treatment for substance abuse is a type oftreatment program where the person will remain at the facility on an inpatient basis, and which typically demands a stay of 30 days or less. While attending residential short-term treatment the client undergoes an intensive but brief course of treatment that usually includes a supervised detox, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the person to recover and be able to function without drugs in everyday life once rehabilitation is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all scenarios of addiction, and most will need an aftercare program or further treatment in a more long-term residential facility.

It is an unfortunate fact that many adolescents in the United States become exposed to drugs and alcohol at a very young age, and some even become addicted and dependent to drugs and/or alcohol. For adolescents who do become addicted and dependent to alcohol and drugs, parents need to be willing to do whatever it takes to help their child before it is too late. Any suspicion that drugs or alcohol are in the picture should be addressed immediately, otherwise, addiction will lead down a path of total destruction for the adolescent as well as for the family. There are drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs for adolescents offered in every state, many of which cater only to adolescents and have treatment professionals on staff that are trained specifically in handling this age range.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address both issues in order to recover completely. Some people take drugs or alcohol to ease symptoms of mental health disorders, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which are identical to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Addiction rehabilitation professionals know how to distinguish between the two, and can work with clients to appropriately treat real mental health problems in tandem with any other substance abuse treatment that is done with the individual. This has proven to be effective in keeping people with mental health disorders off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and productive.

It is not uncommon for someone with HIV/AIDS to end up in a drug rehab program in search of help for severe addiction problems. Often people who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases because of certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty needles to inject drugs or participating 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 rehabilitation centers that accept and cater to persons with HIV/AIDS offer specialized care to address any health issues that may come up in the course of treatment. This way, any physical barriers to rehabilitation are resolved so that they can overcome their addiction and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

Gays and Lesbians can sometimes have unique treatment needs when receiving substance abuse rehabilitation. A specialized curriculum and treatment atmosphere which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is offered at certain drug rehabilitation facilities across the nation which understand the unique needs and challenges which gays and lesbians will experience during treatment. Gay and lesbians can achieve full rehabilitation and recovery just like any other individual in treatment, however it can be beneficial for gays and lesbians to be in a supportive setting which doesn't judge them or segregate them because of their sexual preference.

Rehabilitation from drug or alcohol addiction is a process that can be difficult and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in rehab facilities created 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 conflicts that led to her drug 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 delicate issues are easier to address in the company of other women without fear of judgment or ridicule.

Drug and alcohol treatment facilities designed specifically for men are popping up across the nation. While programs that treat both men and women continue to be the standard for drug rehabilitation, many rehab facilities are developing programs intended to help a specific target group. These facilities 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 treatment programs are not necessary for all recovering addicts, many men are deciding on men-only drug and alcohol treatment facilities. This rehabilitation option is ideally suited 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 difficult process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a good way of getting the support needed to make the process that much more bearable and successful.

DUI/DWI offenders are usually required to attend a certain number of hours either in counseling, meetings or a substance abuse rehabilitation 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 often 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 deemed to be serious offenders will likely have to serve jail time at a minimum before beginning their assigned counseling or alcohol treatment program.

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