Substance abuse treatment is offered 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 participate in treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the individual to reside in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is especially beneficial in resolving more severe 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 concentrate on getting the individual physically rehabilitated, and then focus on the root psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

Drug rehab programs which are offered 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 treatment 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 rehab center until the treatment process has been fully completed. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is also offered for individuals who have completed residential or inpatient treatment but require a thorough aftercare and relapse prevention program which will offer further support and therapy to help them remain clean and sober.

It is an unfortunate fact that many adolescents in the United States become exposed 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 take every step possible to help their child before it is too late. Any sign that drugs or alcohol are in the picture should be confronted immediately, otherwise, addiction will lead down a path of total destruction for the adolescent and for the family. There are drug and alcohol treatment facilities for adolescents available in every state, many of which cater only to adolescents and have treatment professionals and counselors on hand that are trained specifically in handling this age range.

Criminal justice clients typically need substance abuse rehabilitation because of their problems with drug and alcohol abuse. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are specific steps and guidelines that must be adhered to in order to be accepted into a criminal justice substance abuse rehab center or recovery program. The first step is to establish the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished by a panel of officials who decide how much and what type of treatment is necessary. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients obtain their drug rehabilitation while they are incarcerated. For the best possible results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery process once they leave jail and enroll in a sober living home or a therapeutic community.

There are more and more Spanish speaking clients walking into drug and alcohol treatment programs every day needing help. Because Spanish is such a common language in this country, many drug rehabilitation programs are capable of providing treatment services to Spanish speaking individuals. Additionally, many counselors and therapists make it a point to learn the language so as to be able to provide the support and therapy needed for Spanish speaking individuals.