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.

Detoxification is typically the very first step in getting off drugs. It allows a particular person to be in a supervised setting while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are diverse types of detoxification. Theyrange from drug-free to medically supervised. A common mistake that a lot of 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 always recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to discover 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 readily available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to take part in an inpatient rehab program. An outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility offers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility where the person is required to stay and reside at the treatment center until treatment is complete. Outpatient drug rehab is also offered for those who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but require a comprehensive aftercare program which will offer additional support and therapy to help them avoid relapse.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues if there is any hope for them to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs or alcohol to ease symptoms of mental health disorders, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which are identical to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Drug treatment professionals know how to distinguish between the two, and can work with clients to appropriately treat real mental health conditions 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 happy.

It is not uncommon for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in a drug treatment facility receiving help for severe addiction issues. Sometimes individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases due to certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty needles to inject drugs or becoming involved in risky sexual behavior because of lowered sexual inhibitions caused by drug use. Persons with HIV/AIDS should have effective rehabilitation just like any otherwise healthy addicted person. Drug and alcohol treatment facilities 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 recovery are resolved so that they can overcome their addiction once and for all.

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

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 and alcohol rehabilitation programs which are prepared to treat seniors and older adults who are in need of treatment for addiction problems. Seniors and older adults are faced with many physical challenges as a result of their age, which can affect treatment outcome if not addressed concurrently. It is beneficial for seniors and older adults to locate rehabilitation before any long term consequences arise.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug or alcohol treatment there are numerous concerns unique to their situation that must be addressed. This specific 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. Substance abuse rehabilitation for pregnant/postpartum women often requires facilities that are both individualized and flexible in their recovery plan. While the program duration may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is recognized that the longer a person stays in treatment the better their chance of lasting sobriety. Many rehab facilities for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

Drug and alcohol rehab centers designed solely for men are rising up across the country. While programs that work with both men and women are still the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many rehab centers are developing programs intended to help a particular target group. These facilities are able to focus on what their client's individual needs are in a way that standard programs are not. Although these specialized types of rehab programs are not necessary for all recovering addicts, many men are choosing men-only addiction rehab programs. This recovery 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 challenging process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a very good way of receiving the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

Criminal justice clients typically need drug or alcohol treatment due to problems with 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 treatment center or recovery program. The initial step is to figure out the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished by a panel of officials who determine how much and what type of drug or alcohol is necessary. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients obtain their drug and alcohol treatment 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.

Self payment drug and alcohol rehab programs are a great alternative to other types of rehab programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. Individuals 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 substance abuse treatment program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug treatment center and ask about their payment options. It is beneficial to contact a number of programs so that you have a comparison of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment methods.

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