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.

Drug or alcohol rehab services which are provided on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient treatment program. An outpatient drug and alcohol rehab program offers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug rehab program where the person is expected to remain at the treatment facility until treatment is complete. Outpatient drug treatment is also offered for those who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but also need a comprehensive aftercare and relapse prevention program which will offer additional support and therapy to help them remain clean and sober.

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 ease symptoms of mental health complications, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, causes symptoms which mimic mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction treatment professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to appropriately 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 individuals with mental health disorders off of drugs and mentally stable and happy.

It is not unusual for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in an addiction treatment program in search of help for severe addiction issues. Often 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 treatment just like any otherwise healthy addicted person. Substance abuse rehab programs 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 rehabilitation are resolved so that they can overcome their addiction once and for all.

Gays and Lesbians can sometimes have distinctive treatment needs when receiving substance abuse treatment. A specialized curriculum and treatment atmosphere which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is available at certain drug treatment programs across the nation which understand the unique needs and challenges which gays and lesbians will encounter during treatment. Gay and lesbians can achieve full rehabilitation and recovery just like any other individual in treatment, although it can be helpful for gays and lesbians to be in a supportive environment which doesn't judge them or alienate them due to their sexual preference.

Whether it is evident or not, seniors and older adults encompass 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 programs which are prepared to treat seniors and older adults who are in need of treatment for addiction problems. 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 locate treatment before any long term consequences occur.

Drug treatment centers designed exclusively for men are emerging across the country. While rehab programs that treat both men and women are still the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many rehab facilities are creating 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 facilities cannot provide. Although these specialized types of rehabilitation programs may not be needed for all recovering addicts, many men are selecting men-only drug rehabilitation facilities. This rehabilitation option is excellent for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when discussing 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 receiving the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

Criminal justice clients frequently need drug rehabilitation because of their problems with addiction. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are distinct steps and guidelines that must be completed in order to be accepted into a criminal justice drug or alcohol rehab program or recovery program. The initial step is to determine the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished by a panel of officials who determine how much and what type of drug is necessary. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients obtain their drug and alcohol rehabilitation while they are incarcerated. For optimum results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery process once they leave jail and enroll in a sober living home or a therapeutic community.

Self payment substance abuse rehabilitation programs are a great alternative to other types of treatment programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. Individuals 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 rehab program. To learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug or alcohol rehab program and inquire as to their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of programs so that you have a comparison of your choices regarding treatment options and payment options.