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 performed 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 serious 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.

Detoxification is commonly the very first step in getting off drugs. It enables 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. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A widespread 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 usually recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to uncover the root of why an individual was using drugs in the first place.

Hospital inpatient drug rehabilitation is performed in a hospital or similar setting and is overseen by doctors and other medical staff. Hospital inpatient treatment is sometimes necessary in the beginning stages of abstinence when the client may encounter the onset of medically dangerous withdrawal symptoms, which is sometimes true when quitting alcohol as well as a category of prescription drugs known as benzodiazepines which must be monitored very carefully by medical professionals to minimize ant dangerous health complications. Hospital inpatient treatment is also administered to individuals who desire a medication assisted withdrawal, as is the case with individuals who are addicted to opiates and wish to use this type of detox approach to manage the harsh withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin or other opiate withdrawal. This type of opiate detoxification is not treatment in itself however, and these individuals will require additional counseling and therapy to completely recover from addiction.

Drug or alcohol treatment services which are provided on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehab program. An outpatient drug rehabilitation center delivers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab center where the person is expected to stay and reside at the treatment facility until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is also available for those who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but require a comprehensive aftercare and relapse prevention program which will provide further support and therapy 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 requires a stay of 30 days or less. While attending residential short-term treatment the person undergoes an intensive but short duration of treatment that typically incorporates 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 rehab 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 a disturbing 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 must take every step possible to get the problem resolved before it is too late. Any suspicion that drugs or alcohol are in the picture should be confronted immediately, otherwise, addiction will lead down a path of total destruction for the adolescent and for the family. There are drug treatment 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 handle both issues if there is any hope for them to become fully rehabilitated. Some individuals take drugs to relieve symptoms of mental health complications, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, brings about symptoms which mimic mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Drug treatment professionals know how to differentiate 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 person. This has proven to be effective in keeping people with mental health disorders off of drugs and mentally stable and healthy.

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

Whether it is evident 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 rehab centers 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 have an impact on treatment outcome if not addressed concurrently. It is beneficial for seniors and older adults to seek treatment before any long term consequences occur.

Recovery 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 designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol oftenhave personal issues that are much different than their male counter parts. In a drug or alcohol rehab center 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 substance 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 address in the company of other women without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs designed specifically for men are rising up across the country. Although programs that work with both men and women continue to be the standard for drug rehabilitation, many rehab centers are creating programs intended to help a specific target group. These centers are able to focus on what their client's individual needs are in a way that standard programs are not. While these specialized types of treatment programs may not be needed for all recovering addicts, many men are choosing men-only addiction treatment programs. This recovery option is ideal for those who feel more comfortable among others of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult memories from the past. Recovering from addiction is a challenging process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is an excellent way of receiving the support needed to make the process that much more bearable and successful.

Individuals can become addicted to drugs no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes people particularly more vulnerable 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 necessary. Deaf or hearing impaired individuals will require ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug treatment facilities available which cater to these needs. Professional substance abuse counselors who know ASL and can offer other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

Self payment substance abuse rehabilitation centers are an excellent alternative to other types of rehab centers i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. People 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 or alcohol treatment program. To learn more about self payment programs, make contact with a drug or alcohol treatment facility and ask about their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of facilities so that you have an understanding of your choices regarding treatment options and payment options.

If a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol and is seeking help, many effective substance abuse rehab programs accept private health insurance. Whereas some outpatient and short term programs accept private health insurance, far more effective substance abuse treatment programs which require an inpatient or residential stay for at least 90 days are also an available option. These programs which accept private health insurance can vary in terms of treatment curriculum, but those clients who are covered by private health insurance are fortunate enough to have financial assistance when it comes to attending a drug treatment facility. For additional information, speak with with an addiction specialist at a drug treatment facility in your area to find out which services your private health insurance will cover.