Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide range 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 individual will typically receive treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the individual to reside in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is particularly helpful 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 different circumstances which can be different for each person. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the individual physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on the root psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

Detoxification is normally the first step in getting off drugs. It makes it possible for a particular person to be in a supervised environment while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are different types of detoxification. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A common mistake that quite a few addicts make is to think that detox is enough to kick their habit. This is rarely the case. All detox does is get an individual through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is usually recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to discover the root of why an individual 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 rehabilitation center who recognize how difficult and challenging methadone detoxification can be. Methadone detoxification is known to be far more severe in terms of symptoms and duration than even heroin detox, and individuals frequently revert back to methadone to ease withdrawal symptoms or, worse yet, turn to heroin or prescription opioids to alleviate symptoms. This is why methadone detoxification must only be done under close supervision at a drug rehabilitation center which has practical experience in handling this type of detoxification, and where the person can receive further rehabilitation services to deal with all addiction issues.

Drug rehabilitation services which are provided on an outpatient basis are available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to take part in an inpatient treatment center. An outpatient substance abuse rehab program delivers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug rehabilitation center where the individual is required to stay and reside at the rehab program until treatment is complete. Outpatient drug rehab is also offered for those who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but also need a thorough aftercare and relapse prevention program which will offer further support and therapy 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 people take drugs to alleviate symptoms of mental health disorders, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, brings about symptoms which mimic mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Drug rehabilitation professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to correctly treat real mental health disorders 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 problems off of drugs and mentally stable and productive.

It is not unusual for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in a drug treatment program receiving help for serious addiction problems. Sometimes people who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases because of certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty syringes to inject drugs or becoming involved 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 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 alleviated so that they can overcome their addiction and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

Whether it is evident or not, seniors and older adults comprise 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 facilities which are prepared to treat seniors and older adults who are in need of treatment 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 come about.

When pregnant/postpartum women need substance abuse rehabilitation there are a number of concerns unique to their situation that should 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. Substance abuse rehabilitation for pregnant/postpartum women typically requires programs that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. While the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's specific needs it is recognized that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of a successful recovery. Many programs for pregnant/postpartum women can run long-term for six months or more.

Recovery from drug addiction is a process that can be difficult and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking help with addiction feel more comfortable in rehab centers designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol typicallyhave personal issues that are much different than their male counter parts. In a drug or alcohol treatment facility 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 drug abuse and addiction problems. Statistics show that up to seventy percent of drug abusing women report having some type of sexual or physical abuse in their past. These delicate issues are easier to address in the company of other women without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Drug treatment centers created exclusively for men are rising up across the nation. While rehab facilities that treat both men and women continue to be the standard for drug rehabilitation, many rehab centers are developing programs intended to help a specific target group. These centers are able to focus on what their client's particular needs are in a way that standard programs are not. Although these specialized types of rehabilitation programs are not needed for all recovering addicts, many men are selecting men-only drug and alcohol rehab programs. This rehabilitation option is best 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 difficult 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.

Individuals can become addicted to drugs or alcohol no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes individuals particularly more susceptible to becoming involved in drug or alcohol use, because of the various challenges that this can bring about in the individual'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 required. Deaf or hearing impaired individuals will require ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug rehabilitation programs available which provide these services. Professional substance abuse counselors who know ASL and can offer other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

There increasing numbers of Spanish speaking clients walking into drug and alcohol treatment centers every day needing help. Because Spanish is such a widespread language in this country, many drug rehab programs are prepared to deliver treatment services to Spanish speaking people. Additionally, many counselors and therapists make it a point to learn the language so as to be able to provide the treatment and care needed for Spanish speaking clients.

People who speak other languages, other than English that is, should receive substance abuse treatment which is on par with English speakers. Speakers of other languages should not feel that their treatment opportunities are limited or inferior because they don't speak English. There are quite a few substance abuse rehab centers available which provide services to those who speak foreign languages, all of which provide various programs to choose from. For example, some substance abuse rehabilitation programs which provide services for individuals who speak other languages are only short term rehab facilities, but there are more long term options available. Foreign language speakers should consult with an addiction professional in their area to choose a drug rehabilitation facility that provides rehabilitation services in their specific language.

Self payment drug rehab centers are an excellent alternative to other types of rehab centers i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. Individuals who are able to attend self payment programs pay for their entire rehabilitation 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 rehabilitation program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, contact a drug or alcohol treatment center and ask about their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of facilities so that you have a comparison of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment options.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is offered to individuals in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid is dependent on income and other circumstances such as whether or not the person has dependents and if they receive any other assistance. Medicaid may even cover the costs associated with drug treatment, and there are many drug rehab facilities throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Most drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities which are covered through Medicaid may only provide a limited treatment curriculum and may only supply such treatment on a short term basis, typically 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 reap the full rewards of such a program.

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

Paying for drug or alcohol rehab can be a problem, because typically all resources have been exhausted due to their drug habit. Many drug treatment facilities fully grasp this fact which is why many drug and alcohol rehab facilities across the nation provide payment arrangements known as a sliding scale fee. There are several factors put into the equation of determining what the fee will be from person to person, and these factors are based on individual circumstances such as income, cash on hand, living circumstances, the size of one's family etc. Sliding scale fees have been in use for some time as most drug rehabilitation facilities would rather find a way to make it work financially so that those that need addiction help can acquire the help they need.