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.

Residential short-term treatment for substance abuse is a variety oftreatment program where the addicted individual will reside 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 individual undergoes an intensive but short duration of treatment that usually incorporates a supervised detox, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the individual become rehabilitated and able to function without drugs in everyday life once treatment 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 introduced 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 drugs and alcohol, parents need to take every step possible to get the problem resolved before it is too late. Any sign that drugs or alcohol are in the picture should be addressed right away, otherwise, addiction will lead down a path of total destruction for the adolescent as well as for the family. There are drug and alcohol rehab programs for adolescents offered in every state, many of which cater only to adolescents and have treatment professionals on hand that are trained specifically in handling this age group.

Criminal justice clients typically need drug or alcohol rehabilitation because of their problems with drug and alcohol abuse. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are specific steps and guidelines that must be adhered to in order to be accepted into a criminal justice substance abuse rehabilitation program or recovery program. The first step is to establish the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is completed by a panel of officials who decide how much and what type of treatment is necessary. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients receive their substance abuse rehabilitation while they are incarcerated. For the best possible results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery once they leave jail and enroll in sober living or a long-term residential transitional living program.

Anybody can become addicted to drugs or alcohol no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes people particularly more susceptible to becoming involved in drug or alcohol use, because of the varying challenges that this can bring about in the person's life. This is true for those people 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 require ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug and alcohol rehab programs available which cater to these needs. Professional substance abuse counselors who know ASL and can provide other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.