Substance abuse treatment takes place 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 person will typically participate in treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the person 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 unique circumstances which can be different for each individual. Most substance abuse treatment will focus on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then focus on the root psychological and emotional issues which will help them avoid relapse in the future.

Detoxification is usually the initial step in getting off drugs. It enables a particular person to be in a supervised environment while they go through withdrawal symptoms for drugs and/or alcohol. There are various types of detoxification. Theyvary from drug-free to medically supervised. A prevalent mistake that quite a few addicts make is to think that detox is sufficient 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 at all times recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to discover the root of why an individual was using drugs in the first place.

Drug or alcohol rehab services which are delivered on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted people who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to take part in an inpatient rehab center. An outpatient substance abuse treatment center offers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab center where the person is required to remain at the treatment facility until the treatment process has been fully completed. Outpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation is also offered for those 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 therapy to help them remain clean and sober.

Residential short-term treatment for substance abuse is a type ofrehabilitation program where the person will stay at the facility on an inpatient basis, and which usually demands a stay of 30 days or less. While in residential short-term treatment the individual undergoes an intensive but brief course of treatment that usually incorporates a supervised detox, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the person become rehabilitated and able to function without drugs in everyday life once rehabilitation is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all cases of addiction, and most will need an aftercare program or further treatment in a more long-term residential setting.

Attending a residential long-term treatment program (more than 30 days) is the best way ofresolving a serious drug or alcohol addiction problem. This type of drug rehabilitation facility is more comprehensive than others that only last a few weeks or those where the person in recovery is free to come and go as they please. Choosing a residential long-term treatment program (more than 30 days) means that you as the client will stay at the rehab facility around the clock while you are in recovery. While offering a more relaxed home-like environment the client has access to counselors and staff at all times. Long term drug or alcohol treatment centers are an ideal choice for those who have a long history of substance abuse or who have had other unsuccessful attempts at recovery in the past.