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 carried out 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 person to reside in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is especially helpful 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 different circumstances which can be different for each person. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then concentrate on underlying psychological and emotional issues.

A halfway house is a transitional living facility where an individual who is recovering from drug or alcohol addiction can find support and re-adjust to life and society as a drug free individual. A halfway house is a place where someone can feel safe and repair their life while recovering from addiction while also participate in clean and sober, productive activities. Halfway houses supply the perfect opportunity for individuals to be in an atmosphere where they can receive further counseling and different types of therapy while also learning new trades or finding stable employment so that they can support a healthy and productive, drug-free life.

Residential short-term treatment for addiction is a type oftreatment program where the person will stay at the facility on an inpatient basis, and which normally 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 commonly includes a supervised detoxification, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the person become rehabilitated and able to function without drugs in daily 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 facility.

Enrolling into a residential long-term treatment facility (more than 30 days) is an effective way ofresolving a severe drug or alcohol addiction problem. This type of drug and alcohol rehab program is more intensive 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 rehab program (more than 30 days) means that you as the client will reside at the rehabilitation facility around the clock while you are in recovery. While providing a more relaxed home-like environment the person has access to treatment professionals at all times. Long term drug or alcohol treatment centers are an excellent choice for those who have a long history of substance abuse or who have had other unsuccessful attempts at drug or alcohol treatment in the past.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues in order to become fully rehabilitated. Some individuals take drugs to ease symptoms of mental health disorders, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which are identical to mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Addiction treatment professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to properly treat real mental health problems in tandem with any other substance abuse treatment that is done with the person. This has proven to be effective in keeping people with mental health problems off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and productive.

Rehabilitation from drug or alcohol addiction is a process that can be difficult and in manyways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in treatment programs designed specifically for women. Women who are addicted to drugs or alcohol typicallyhave personal issues that are considerably different than their male counter parts. In a drug rehab facility where all the clients are women, the recovering addict will feel more relaxed and will be able to share her personal conflicts that led to her substance abuse and addiction problems. Statistics show that up to seventy percent of women with addiction problems report having some type of sexual or physical abuse in their past. These delicate issues are easier to work through in the company of other women without fear of judgment or ridicule.

Criminal justice clients frequently need drug treatment 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 drug or alcohol treatment center or recovery program. The initial step is to determine 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. Often, the criminal justice clients obtain their drug 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 a sober living home or a long-term residential transitional living program.