Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address both issues in order to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs to relieve symptoms of mental health disorders, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, brings about symptoms which are identical to mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Drug treatment professionals know how to differentiate 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 people with mental health issues off of drugs and mentally stable and healthy.

Anybody can become addicted to drugs or alcohol no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes people particularly more susceptible to becoming involved in drug or alcohol use, because of the varying challenges that this can bring about in the individual'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 facilities available which cater to these needs. Professional treatment counselors who know ASL and can offer other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is made available to individuals in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid is dependent on income and other circumstances such as whether or not the individual has dependents and if they receive any other assistance. Medicaid may even cover the costs associated with drug or alcohol treatment, and there are many drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Many drug treatment facilities which are covered through Medicaid may only deliver a limited treatment curriculum and may only deliver such treatment on a short term basis, usually 30 days or less. People who have Medicaid should look for which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to reap the full benefits of a Medicaid rehab program.

Some people are covered through state financed insurance because they fail to meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid. Some states however offer state financed health insurance to those individuals who cannot afford private health insurance plans. State financed health insurance programs will sometimes cover the costs associated with substance abuse treatment at a variety of drug and alcohol rehab centers around the country. State financed insurance other than Medicaid may cover both outpatient or inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation services. To find out which treatment facilities will accept state financed insurance, consult a substance abuse treatment specialist.