Substance abuse treatment is offered in a wide range of different 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 participate in treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the person to stay 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 various circumstances which can be different for each individual. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on the root psychological and emotional issues.

Drug rehabilitation services which are offered on an outpatient basis are available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to participate in an inpatient rehab program. An outpatient drug rehabilitation center delivers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab facility where the person is expected to remain at the rehabilitation program until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug or alcohol rehab is also offered for individuals who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but also need a thorough aftercare and relapse prevention program which will offer additional support and treatment to help them avoid relapse.

DUI/DWI offenders are typically required to attend a specific number of hours either in counseling, meetings or a drug or alcohol rehab program. Each state has its own requirements when it comes to retribution for the DUI/DWI offender. Offenders who are considered to be 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 typically 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.

Criminal justice clients often need drug or alcohol treatment due to problems with drug and alcohol abuse. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are distinct steps and guidelines that must be adhered to in order to be admitted into a criminal justice drug or alcohol rehabilitation center or recovery program. The initial step is to figure out the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished by a panel of officials who determine how much and what type of treatment is necessary. Sometimes, the criminal justice clients receive their substance abuse rehabilitation while they are incarcerated. For optimum results, they are encouraged, if not strictly directed, to continue their recovery once they leave jail and enroll in sober living or a therapeutic community.

Individuals can become addicted to drugs 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 difficult challenges that this can bring about in the individual's life. This is true for individuals in the deaf and hearing impaired community as well, and treatment for substance abuse and addiction is sometimes needed. Deaf or hearing impaired persons will require ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug and alcohol rehab facilities available which cater to these needs. Professional treatment counselors who know ASL and can provide other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

Self payment substance abuse treatment facilities are an outstanding alternative to other types of treatment programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded programs. People who are able to attend self payment programs pay for their entire rehabilitation process out of pocket. Keep in mind though, this does not mean that they will not have access to financial assistance if needed. It just means that self payment is their primary method of covering the cost of their drug or alcohol rehab program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug treatment center and ask about their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of programs so that you have a comparison of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment methods.

Medicaid is a type of health insurance which is made available to individuals in certain low-income tax brackets. Eligibility for Medicaid depends greatly on income and other factors such as whether or not the individual has dependents and if they receive any other financial assistance. Medicaid may possibly even cover the costs associated with drug or alcohol rehab, and there are many drug rehabilitation programs throughout the country which are covered through Medicaid. Most drug and alcohol treatment programs which are covered through Medicaid may only provide a limited treatment curriculum and may only provide such treatment on a short term basis, typically 30 days or less. Individuals who have Medicaid should explore which programs cover the greatest amount of treatment for the most amount of time to acquire the full benefits of such a program.

Drug addiction and alcoholism affects many older Americans and seniors, and this issue is projected to only worsen in the coming years. Seniors who are covered through the Medicare program, an insurance program funded through the federal government for Americans in this age bracket, can use their benefits to receive vital treatment services for substance abuse at a wide variety of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs around the country. Medicare covers both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facilities, and seniors who wish to receive help can consult with their primary care physician to choose a rehab program covered by Medicare which would fit his or her particular needs.

Some people are covered through state financed insurance because they do not meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid. Some states however offer affordable health insurance to those who cannot afford private health insurance. State financed health insurance programs will sometimes cover the costs associated with substance abuse treatment at a wide variety of drug treatment programs around the country. State financed insurance other than Medicaid may cover both inpatient or outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation services. To find out which treatment programs will accept state financed insurance, speak with a substance abuse treatment professional.

When an individual is abusing drugs or alcohol and is looking for help, there are many effective drug rehabilitation facilities accept private health insurance. Whereas some outpatient and short term programs accept private health insurance, far more effective substance abuse rehab facilities which offer an inpatient or residential stay for at least 90 days are also an available option. These rehab facilities which accept private health insurance can differ in terms of treatment curriculum, but those individuals who are covered by private health insurance are fortunate enough to have financial assistance when it comes to attending a drug rehabilitation program. For additional information, consult with an addiction specialist at a substance abuse treatment facility in your area to find out which services your private health insurance will cover.

Paying for drug treatment can be a problem, as all resources have been exhausted because of their drug habit. Many drug treatment programs understand this reality which is why many drug and alcohol treatment facilities across the nation provide payment options known as a sliding scale fee. There are many factors put into the equation of determining what the fee will be from person to person, and these factors are based on individual circumstances such as income, cash on hand, living circumstances, the size of one's family etc. Sliding scale fees have been in use for some time as most drug and alcohol treatment facilities would prefer to find a way to make it work financially so that those that need addiction help can get the help they need.