Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide variety of distinct treatment settings with a variety of different treatment methods. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be performed 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 serious 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 individual. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then focus on the root psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

Attending a residential long-term treatment facility (more than 30 days) is an effective way ofaddressing a serious drug or alcohol addiction problem. This type of substance abuse treatment 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 treatment program (more than 30 days) means that you as the client will stay at the rehab center around the clock while you are in recovery. While offering a more relaxed home-like atmosphere the individual has access to counselors and staff at all times. Long term drug rehabilitation facilities are a perfect 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 in order to recover completely. Some people take drugs or alcohol to relieve symptoms of mental health complications, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, brings about symptoms which mimic mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction treatment professionals know how to distinguish between the two, and can work with clients to appropriately treat real mental health disorders 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 problems off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and happy.

It is not uncommon for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in a substance abuse treatment program in search of help for severe addiction issues. Often people who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases because of certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty needles 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 rehabilitation programs 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 once and for all.

Drug and alcohol treatment programs created solely for men are popping up across the nation. While rehab programs that treat both men and women are still the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many facilities are developing programs designed to help a specific target group. These facilities are able to focus on what their client's particular needs are in a way that standard facilities cannot provide. Although these specialized types of treatment programs may not be needed for all recovering addicts, many men are choosing men-only drug treatment programs. This recovery option is ideal for those who feel more comfortable among others of the same sex when sharing 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 endurable.

Criminal justice clients typically need substance abuse rehabilitation because of their problems with drug or alcohol addiction. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are distinct steps and guidelines that must be performed in order to be admitted into a criminal justice drug or alcohol treatment center or recovery program. The first step is to figure out the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished by a panel of officials who decide how much and what type of treatment is necessary. Often, the criminal justice clients receive their drug 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 a sober living home or a therapeutic community.

Self payment drug treatment centers are an outstanding alternative to other types of rehabilitation programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. People who are capable of attending 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 drug or alcohol rehab program. To learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug treatment center and inquire as to their payment options. It is beneficial to contact a number of facilities so that you have an understanding of your choices regarding rehab options and payment methods.