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.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address both issues in order to become fully rehabilitated. Some individuals take drugs to relieve symptoms of mental health complications, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, brings about symptoms which mimic mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction treatment professionals know how to distinguish between the two, and can work with clients to properly 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 productive.

It is not unusual for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in a drug treatment facility receiving help for severe addiction problems. Sometimes individuals who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases because of certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty syringes to inject drugs or participating 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 individual. Substance abuse rehab programs 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 rehabilitation are alleviated so that they can conquer their addiction and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

When pregnant/postpartum women need drug treatment there are several factors unique to their situation that need to be addressed. This particular group of addicted persons faces not only the personal shame of their addiction but also the reality of what their unhealthy choices may have caused their children. Substance abuse rehabilitation for pregnant/postpartum women often requires facilities that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. Although the program duration may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is recognized that the longer a person stays in treatment the better their chance of lasting sobriety. Many rehab facilities for pregnant/postpartum women can run long-term for six months or more.

Criminal justice clients often need drug treatment because of their problems with drug or alcohol addiction. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are distinct steps and guidelines that must be adhered to in order to be accepted into a criminal justice drug treatment facility or recovery program. The initial step is to establish the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is completed by a panel of officials who determine how much and what type of substance abuse [[[rehabilitation is necessary. Often, the criminal justice clients receive their drug treatment 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 long-term residential transitional living program.

Many substance abuse rehabilitation centers in the United States offer payment assistance to people suffering with drug or alcohol addiction and want to get help. The person in need of rehabilitation can select a treatment program which is a good fit, meaning the treatment curriculum and design of the program would provide them the best results. The addicted individual can then consult with one of the treatment professionals at the drug treatment facility to go over what kind of payment assistance options are available or that they qualify for. The financial department in most drug treatment facilities 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 locate an equivalent or comparable treatment program which is more affordable or that can provide workable financing options so that they can get the help they so desperately need.