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.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug or alcohol treatment 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. Recovery for pregnant/postpartum women often requires facilities that are both individualized and flexible in their recovery plan. While the program duration may vary depending on the woman's specific needs it is understood that the longer a person stays in treatment the better their chance of a successful recovery. Many programs for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

Rehabilitation from drug or alcohol 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 treatment centers designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol typicallyhave personal issues that are considerably different than their male counter parts. In a drug or alcohol rehab 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 women with addiction problems report having some type of sexual or physical abuse in their past. These sensitive issues are easier to work through in the company of other women without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Drug rehabilitation centers created solely for men are rising up across the country. While programs that work with both men and women are still the standard for drug rehabilitation, many rehab facilities are providing programs intended 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. Although these specialized types of rehab programs may not be needed for all recovering addicts, many men are deciding on men-only drug rehabilitation programs. This recovery option is ideally suited for those who feel more comfortable among others 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 getting the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

There are more and more Spanish speaking clients walking into substance abuse rehabilitation centers every day needing help. Because Spanish is such a widespread language in this country, many drug treatment programs are capable of providing treatment to Spanish speaking people. Additionally, many treatment professionals make it a point to learn the language so as to be able to provide the treatment and therapy needed for Spanish speaking clients.

People who speak other languages, other than English that is, should be able to receive drug or alcohol treatment which is on par with English speakers. Those who speak other languages should not feel that their treatment opportunities are limited or inferior because they don't speak English. There are many drug and alcohol treatment facilities available which provide services to those who speak foreign languages, all of which provide a selection of programs to choose from. For example, some drug rehabilitation facilities which cater to those who speak other languages are only short term rehab facilities, and others are longer term programs. Foreign language speakers can consult with an addiction professional in their area to choose a drug or alcohol rehab program that provides rehabilitation services in their specific language.

Self payment drug and alcohol treatment facilities are an excellent alternative to other types of rehabilitation centers i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. People 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 drug or alcohol treatment program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug treatment facility and inquire as to their payment options. It is beneficial to contact several programs so that you have an understanding of your choices with regards to rehab options and payment options.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is offered to people in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid depends greatly on income and other factors including whether or not the individual has dependents and if they receive any other assistance. Medicaid may possibly even cover the costs associated with drug or alcohol rehabilitation, and there are a lot of drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Many drug treatment facilities 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. People who have Medicaid should research which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to acquire the full rewards of a Medicaid rehab program.