Substance abuse treatment is offered in a wide range of distinct treatment settings with a variety of different treatment approaches. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis, where the person will typically receive treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the individual to stay in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is especially helpful 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 different circumstances which can be different for each individual. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then focus on the root psychological and emotional issues.

Detoxification is typically the first step in getting off drugs. It allows a particular person to be in a supervised setting while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are diverse types of detoxification. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A common mistake that many addicts make is to believe that detox is enough to kick their habit. This is hardly ever the case. All detox does is get a person through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is usually recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to find out the root of why a person was using drugs in the first place.

Hospital inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation is done in a hospital or similar setting and is overseen by doctors and other medical staff. Hospital inpatient treatment is sometimes necessary in the beginning stages of abstinence when the client may encounter the onset of life threatening withdrawal symptoms, which is sometimes true when quitting alcohol as well as a category of prescription drugs known as benzodiazepines which must be supervised very carefully by medical professionals to minimize ant dangerous health complications. Hospital inpatient treatment is also delivered to those who desire a medication assisted withdrawal, as is the case with opiate addicted individuals who wish to use this type of detox technique to avoid the severe withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin or other opiate withdrawal. This type of opiate detox is not treatment in itself however, and these people will need further counseling and therapy to completely recover from addiction.

Drug treatment programs which are provided on an outpatient basis are available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehab facility. An outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center 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 required to stay and reside at the rehabilitation program until the treatment process has been fully completed. Outpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation is also available for individuals who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but require a thorough aftercare program which will provide additional support and therapy to help them avoid relapse.

Residential short-term treatment for substance abuse is a type ofrehabilitation program where the addicted individual will stay at the facility on an inpatient basis, and which usually demands a stay of 30 days or less. While attending residential short-term treatment the recovering addict undergoes an intensive but short duration of treatment that usually incorporates a supervised detox, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the person to recover and be able to function without drugs in daily life once treatment is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all instances of addiction, and most will need an aftercare program or additional treatment in a more long-term residential facility.

Attending a residential long-term treatment program (more than 30 days) is the best way ofaddressing a severe substance abuse problem. This type of substance abuse rehabilitation facility 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 stay at the treatment center around the clock while you are in recovery. While providing a more relaxed home-like atmosphere the individual has access to counselors and staff at all times. Long term drug rehab programs are an excellent choice for those who have a long history of addiction or who have had other unsuccessful attempts at recovery in the past.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address both issues if there is any hope for them to become fully rehabilitated. Some people take drugs to alleviate symptoms of mental health problems, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which mimic mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Addiction treatment professionals know how to distinguish between the two, and can work with clients to properly treat real mental health conditions 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 problems off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and happy.