Substance abuse treatment takes place in a wide variety of different 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 person to reside in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is especially beneficial in handling more serious cases of addiction. Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment can be done on a short term or long term basis, depending on unique circumstances which can be different for each person. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on underlying psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

Drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs which are provided on an outpatient basis are available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to take part in an inpatient rehabilitation center. An outpatient substance abuse treatment program offers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug rehabilitation facility where the individual is expected to remain at the rehab facility until treatment has been fully completed. Outpatient drug or alcohol rehab is also offered for those who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but also need a comprehensive aftercare and relapse prevention program which will provide further support and treatment to help them remain clean and sober.

It is a disturbing fact that many adolescents in the United States become introduced to drugs and alcohol at a very young age, and some even become addicted and dependent to drugs and/or alcohol. For adolescents who do become addicted and dependent to drugs and alcohol, parents must be willing to do whatever it takes to get the problem resolved before it is too late. Any suspicion that drugs or alcohol are in the picture should be addressed immediately, otherwise, addiction will lead down a path of total destruction for the adolescent as well as for the family. There are drug and alcohol treatment programs for adolescents offered in every state, many of which cater only to adolescents and have treatment professionals on hand that are trained specifically in handling this age group.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues if there is any hope for them to become fully rehabilitated. Some people take drugs or alcohol to alleviate symptoms of mental health complications, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which are identical to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Addiction rehabilitation 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 individual. This has proven to be effective in keeping individuals with mental health disorders off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and healthy.

DUI/DWI offenders are often required to enroll in a specific number of hours either in counseling, meetings or a substance abuse treatment program. Each state has its own requirements when it comes to sentencing for the DUI/DWI offender. Offenders who are deemed low to moderate DUI/DWI offenders will typically engage in some form of group counseling or therapy. These are sometimes referred to as "Level I & Level II Alcohol Classes". These group meetings are often held by a professional in the field of addiction recovery or a person with long-term sobriety involved in the Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous groups. DUI/DWI offenders considered to be serious offenders will likely have to serve jail time at a minimum before beginning their assigned counseling or alcohol treatment program.

Native Americans and Alaska Natives have much higher rates of substance abuse and addiction than other ethnicities, a circumstance which must be addressed for these cultures to survive. In fact, Native American and Alaska youth have some of the highest rates of alcohol and drug abuse in the country. While the reasons may vary from person to person, most of the reasons for the high rates of substance abuse among Native American and Alaska natives are cultural ones. The most obvious obstacles to treating Native Americans and Alaska Natives for substance abuse and addiction are culture differences and language. This is why it is important that Native Americans and Alaska Natives receive substance abuse treatment in a drug rehab program that is culturally acceptable, but most importantly in one that can provide treatment and therapy in the Native American or Alaska Native languages.

Many drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in the United States offer payment assistance to men and women having difficulties with drug or alcohol addiction and want to get help. The individual in need of treatment can select a treatment program which is a good fit, meaning the treatment plan and design of the program would offer them the best results. The addicted individual can then consult with one of the treatment professionals at the drug treatment center to discuss what kind of payment assistance options are available or that they qualify for. The financial department in most drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs are more than willing to work with potential clients to get them started by offering payment assistance, and if this is unavailable, treatment professionals will typically work with the individual to find an equivalent or similar rehab facility which is more affordable or that can provide workable financing options so that they can get the rehabilitation they so desperately need.