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.

Residential short-term treatment for substance abuse is a variety ofrehabilitation program where the person will remain at the facility on an inpatient basis, and which normally requires a stay of 30 days or less. While in residential short-term treatment the person undergoes an intensive but short duration of treatment that commonly incorporates a supervised detoxification, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the person to recover and be able to function without drugs in daily life once treatment is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all cases of addiction, and most will require an aftercare program or further treatment in a more long-term residential facility.