Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide variety of distinct treatment settings with a variety of different treatment approaches. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be done on an outpatient basis, where the person will typically attend treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the person to reside in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is especially beneficial in resolving more severe 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 person. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then focus on underlying psychological and emotional issues.

Detoxification is normally the initial step in getting off drugs. It makes it possible for an individual to be in a supervised setting while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are different types of detoxification. Theyrange from drug-free to medically supervised. A frequent mistake that many addicts make is to believe that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is almost never the case. All detox does is get a person through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is at all times recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to discover the root of why a person was using drugs in the first place.

Methadone detoxification is a course of action which must be supervised by drug addiction professionals within a drug rehab program who understand how difficult and challenging methadone detox can be. Methadone detox is regarded to be far more severe in terms of symptoms and duration than even heroin detox, and individuals typically revert back to methadone to relieve withdrawal symptoms or, worse yet, turn to heroin or prescription opioids to alleviate symptoms. This is why methadone detox should only be done under strict supervision at a drug treatment program which has experience in handling this type of detoxification, and where the individual can receive additional recovery services to deal with all addiction issues.

Drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs which are provided on an outpatient basis are available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehab center. An outpatient substance abuse rehab facility provides many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug treatment facility where the person is required to stay and reside at the rehab program until treatment is complete. Outpatient drug or alcohol treatment is also offered for individuals who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but require a comprehensive aftercare program which will offer additional support and treatment to help them avoid relapse.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address both issues if there is any hope for them to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs or alcohol to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, causes symptoms which are identical to mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Drug rehabilitation professionals know how to distinguish between the two, and can work with clients to properly 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 individuals with mental health issues off of drugs and mentally stable and healthy.

It is not uncommon for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in a substance abuse rehab facility in search of help for severe addiction problems. Sometimes 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 rehabilitation just like any otherwise healthy addicted individual. Drug rehab centers that accept and cater to persons with HIV/AIDS offer 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.

When pregnant/postpartum women need substance abuse rehabilitation there are several concerns unique to their situation that need to be addressed. This specific group of addicted persons faces not only the personal shame of their addiction but also the reality of what their unhealthy choices may have caused their children. Recovery for pregnant/postpartum women often requires programs that are both individualized and flexible in their recovery plan. While the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is recognized that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of lasting sobriety. Many programs for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

Rehabilitation from drug addiction is a process that can be challenging and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking help with addiction feel more comfortable in rehab centers created specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol typicallyhave personal issues that are considerably different than that of males. In a drug treatment program where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more relaxed and will be able to work through her personal conflicts that led to her drug 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 treatment facilities made exclusively for men are emerging across the nation. While rehab programs that work with both men and women continue to be the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many rehab facilities are providing programs designed to help a specific target group. These centers are able to focus on what their client's personal 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 addiction rehabilitation centers. This treatment option is best suited for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult memories from the past. Recovering from addiction is a difficult process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a great way of receiving the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

Self payment drug treatment programs are a great alternative to other types of treatment programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. Individuals who are capable of attending self payment programs pay for their entire treatment 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 substance abuse rehab program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, contact a drug treatment center and inquire as to 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 methods.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is made available to people in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid is dependent on income and other factors including whether or not the person has dependents and if they receive any other assistance. Medicaid may even cover the costs associated with drug rehab, and there are many drug rehab centers throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Most drug rehabilitation programs which are covered through Medicaid may only provide a limited treatment curriculum and may only supply such treatment on a short term basis, usually 30 days or less. Individuals who have Medicaid should look for which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to acquire the full rewards of such a program.

Some individuals are covered through state financed insurance because they do not qualify for Medicaid. Some states however offer affordable health insurance to those who cannot afford private health insurance. State financed health insurance programs will in some cases cover the costs associated with substance abuse treatment at a wide variety of drug and alcohol rehab programs around the country. State financed insurance other than Medicaid may cover both outpatient or inpatient substance abuse treatment services. To find out which rehabilitation programs will accept state financed insurance, consult a drug and alcohol treatment advisor.