Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide range of different treatment settings with a variety of different treatment approaches. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis, where the individual will typically attend 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 especially helpful 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 unique 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.

A halfway house is a transitional living facility where an individual who is trying to recover from alcohol or drug addiction can find support and re-acclimate to life and society. A halfway house is a place where someone can feel secure and repair their life while recovering from addiction while also participate in clean and sober, productive activities. Halfway houses supply an ideal opportunity for recovering addicts to be in an environment where they can receive further counseling and different types of therapy while also learning new trades or obtaining stable employment so that they can support a healthy and productive, drug-free life.

Enrolling into a residential long-term treatment facility (more than 30 days) is the best way ofresolving a serious substance abuse problem. This type of drug and alcohol rehabilitation program is more intensive than others that only last a few weeks or those where the person in recovery is free to come and go as they please. Attending a residential long-term rehabilitation program (more than 30 days) means that you as the client will live at the rehabilitation center around the clock while you are in recovery. While providing a more relaxed home-like setting the client has access to treatment professionals at all times. Long term drug or alcohol treatment centers are an excellent choice for those who have a long history of addiction or who have had other unsuccessful attempts at drug or alcohol treatment in the past.

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 people take drugs or alcohol to relieve symptoms of mental health problems, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, causes symptoms which are identical to mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Addiction treatment professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to correctly 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 issues off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and healthy.

It is not uncommon for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in a drug treatment program receiving help for serious addiction issues. Often individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases due to certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty syringes to inject drugs or participating in risky sexual behavior because of lowered sexual inhibitions caused by drug use. Persons with HIV/AIDS should have effective treatment just like any otherwise healthy addicted person. Drug treatment facilities that accept and cater to persons with HIV/AIDS provide 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 conquer their addiction and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

Gays and Lesbians can sometimes have unique treatment needs when receiving substance abuse treatment. A specialized curriculum and treatment atmosphere which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is offered at certain drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities around the country which understand the unique needs and challenges which gays and lesbians will encounter during treatment. Gay and lesbians can achieve full rehabilitation and recovery just like any other person in treatment, however 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 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 rehabilitation programs which are prepared to treat seniors and older adults who are in need of rehabilitation for addiction issues. 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 find rehabilitation before any long term consequences occur.

Drug and alcohol rehab programs made solely for men are emerging across the country. Although rehab facilities that work with both men and women are still the standard for drug rehabilitation, many rehab facilities are developing 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 programs are not. While these specialized types of rehabilitation programs are not necessary for all recovering addicts, many men are selecting men-only drug rehab programs. This treatment 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 good way of getting the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

Criminal justice clients frequently need drug or alcohol treatment due to 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 admitted into a criminal justice drug treatment center or recovery program. The first step is to determine the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is completed by a panel of officials who decide how much and what type of drug is necessary. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients obtain their substance abuse treatment 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.

Many drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs in the United States provide payment assistance to individuals struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and want to get help. The person in need of treatment can select a rehabilitation facility which ideally fits their situation, meaning the treatment curriculum and design of the program would offer them the best results. The addicted individual can then consult with one of the treatment professionals at the drug rehabilitation facility to go over what kind of payment assistance options are available or that they qualify for. The financial department in most drug treatment facilities are more than willing to work with potential clients to get them started by offering payment assistance, and if this is unavailable, treatment professionals will typically work with the individual to find an equivalent or similar rehabilitation program which is more affordable or that can provide workable financing options so that they can acquire the help they so desperately need.