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.

Drug rehabilitation programs designed specifically 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 rehab facilities are developing programs designed to help a particular 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 rehabilitation programs are not needed for all recovering addicts, many men are deciding on men-only drug treatment centers. This recovery option is ideally suited for those who feel more comfortable among others of the same sex when discussing 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 very good way of receiving the support needed to make the process that much more bearable and successful.