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.

Detoxification is generally the very first step in getting off drugs. It enables 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. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A frequent mistake that many addicts make is to think that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is seldom the case. All detox does is get somebody through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is always recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to uncover the root of why a person was using drugs in the first place.

Drug or alcohol 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 facility. An outpatient drug rehab facility provides many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab facility where the person is expected to stay and reside at the rehab program until the treatment process has been fully completed. Outpatient drug rehab is also offered for individuals who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but require a thorough aftercare and relapse prevention program which will provide further support and treatment to help them remain clean and sober.

Residential short-term treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is a type oftreatment program where the individual will stay at the facility on an inpatient basis, and which usually demands a stay of 30 days or less. While in residential short-term treatment the client undergoes an intensive but short duration of treatment that typically includes a supervised detoxification, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the individual to recover and be able to function without drugs in everyday life once rehab is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all cases of addiction, and most will need an aftercare program or additional treatment in a more long-term residential setting.

Attending a residential long-term treatment program (more than 30 days) is an effective way ofaddressing a severe drug or alcohol addiction problem. This type of drug and alcohol rehab program is more comprehensive than others that only last a few weeks or those where the client 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 live at the treatment facility around the clock while you are in recovery. While offering a more relaxed home-like atmosphere the client has access to counselors and staff at all times. Long term drug rehabilitation facilities are an ideal 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.

It is not uncommon for someone with HIV/AIDS to end up in an addiction treatment program in search of help for serious addiction problems. Sometimes people who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases due to certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty needles 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 treatment just like any otherwise healthy addicted person. Substance abuse rehab 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 resolved so that they can overcome their addiction and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

Anybody can become addicted to drugs no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes individuals particularly more susceptible to becoming involved in substance abuse, because of the difficult challenges that this can bring about in the person'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 need ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug rehab centers available which provide these services. Professional substance abuse counselors who know ASL and can provide other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.