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 carried out 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 different circumstances which can be different for each person. 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 usually the initial step in getting off drugs. It enables a person to be in a supervised setting while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are different types of detoxification. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A frequent mistake that quite a few addicts make is to believe that detox is enough to kick their habit. This is seldom the case. All detox does is get someone 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 someone was using drugs in the first place.

Methadone detoxification is a process which must be supervised by drug addiction professionals within a drug rehab program who understand how difficult and challenging methadone detoxification can be. Methadone detoxification is known to be far more serious in terms of symptoms and duration than even heroin detox, and individuals often revert back to methadone to alleviate withdrawal symptoms or, worse yet, turn to heroin or prescription opioids to alleviate symptoms. This is why methadone detox should only be done under strict supervision at a drug treatment center which has practical experience in dealing with this type of detox, and where the person can receive further recovery services to address all addiction issues.

Drug treatment programs which are delivered on an outpatient basis are available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehabilitation program. An outpatient drug rehabilitation facility delivers 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 individual is required to stay and reside at the rehabilitation facility 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 require a thorough aftercare and relapse prevention program which will provide further support and treatment to help them remain clean and sober.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug treatment there are a number of issues 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. Recovery for pregnant/postpartum women typically requires facilities that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. While the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is recognized that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of lasting sobriety. Many rehab facilities for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

Recovery from drug addiction is a process that can be challenging and in a lot ofways intimidating. This is why some women seeking help with addiction feel more comfortable in treatment programs designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol typicallyhave personal issues that are considerably different than their male counter parts. In a drug rehab program where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more relaxed and will be able to share 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 sensitive issues are easier to work through in the company of other women without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Drug and alcohol treatment facilities created exclusively for men are emerging across the country. While rehab facilities that work with both men and women continue to be the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many facilities 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. While these specialized types of treatment programs may not be necessary for all recovering addicts, many men are deciding on men-only addiction rehab facilities. This rehabilitation option is excellent for those who feel more comfortable among others of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult memories from the past. Addiction recovery is a challenging process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a great way of getting the support needed to make the process that much more bearable and successful.

People can become addicted to drugs no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes individuals particularly more vulnerable to becoming involved in substance abuse, because of the difficult challenges that this can bring about in the individual's life. This is true for individuals in the deaf and hearing impaired community as well, and treatment for substance abuse and addiction is sometimes needed. Deaf or hearing impaired individuals will need ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug treatment facilities available which cater to these needs. Professional treatment counselors who know ASL and can provide other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

Self payment substance abuse rehab programs are an excellent alternative to other types of rehabilitation facilities i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. People who are able to attend self payment programs pay for their entire treatment 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 programs, contact a drug or alcohol treatment program and inquire as to their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of programs so that you have a comparison of your choices regarding treatment options and payment methods.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is made available to individuals in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid is dependent on income and other circumstances including whether or not the person has dependents and if they receive any other financial assistance. Medicaid may possibly even cover the costs associated with drug or alcohol rehab, and there are many drug and alcohol treatment programs throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Most drug rehabilitation programs 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 look for which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to acquire the full rewards of such a program.