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.

Drug treatment services which are offered on an outpatient basis are readily available to addicted individuals who have circumstances which prevent them from being able to take part in an inpatient rehab facility. An outpatient drug treatment facility provides many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol treatment center where the person is required to remain at the treatment program until treatment is complete. Outpatient drug rehabilitation is also available for those who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but require a thorough aftercare program which will provide further support and therapy to help them remain clean and sober.

Residential short-term treatment for substance abuse is a variety ofrehabilitation program where the individual will reside 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 person undergoes an intensive but brief course of treatment that commonly includes a supervised detox, counseling, and other forms of therapy which are aimed at helping the person to recover and be able to function without drugs in everyday life once treatment is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all cases of addiction, and most will require an aftercare program or additional treatment in a more long-term residential facility.

Attending a residential long-term treatment program (more than 30 days) is an effective way ofaddressing a serious drug or alcohol addiction problem. This type of substance abuse treatment program 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. Attending a residential long-term rehab program (more than 30 days) means that you as the client will live at the rehab facility around the clock while you are in recovery. While providing a more relaxed home-like environment the client has access to counselors and staff at all times. Long term drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs 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.

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

It is not unusual for persons with HIV/AIDS to end up in an addiction rehab program receiving help for serious addiction problems. Often people who abuse drugs and alcohol are predisposed to such diseases due to certain circumstances which afflict the drug culture such as sharing dirty syringes to inject drugs or becoming involved in risky sexual behavior because of lowered sexual inhibitions caused by drug use. Persons with HIV/AIDS deserve effective treatment just like any otherwise healthy addicted person. Drug and alcohol treatment centers 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.

Gays and Lesbians can sometimes have unique treatment needs when receiving substance abuse rehabilitation. A specialized curriculum and treatment environment which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is obtainable at certain drug treatment facilities across the nation which understand the unique needs and challenges which gays and lesbians will encounter during treatment. Gay and lesbians can achieve full rehabilitation and recovery just like any other individual in treatment, however it can be beneficial for gays and lesbians to be in a supportive setting which doesn't judge them or alienate them due to their sexual preference.

Whether it is evident or not, seniors and older adults comprise a considerable percentage of individuals in the United States who struggle with drug and/or alcohol abuse and addiction. As the baby boomer generation ages, this will become an even bigger problem with an even bigger need for drug rehabilitation centers which are prepared to treat seniors and older adults who are in need of treatment for addiction problems. Seniors and older adults are faced with many physical challenges as a result of their age, which can have an impact on treatment outcome if not addressed concurrently. It is beneficial for seniors and older adults to seek rehabilitation before any long term consequences arise.

Drug rehab facilities created specifically for men are emerging across the nation. Although programs that work with both men and women are still the standard for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, many rehab centers are developing programs designed to help a particular target group. These facilities are able to focus on what their client's individual needs are in a way that standard facilities cannot provide. Although these specialized types of treatment programs are not necessary for all recovering addicts, many men are selecting men-only drug and alcohol rehab centers. This recovery option is ideally suited for those who feel more comfortable with those of the same sex when sharing private and often difficult issues from the past. Recovering from addiction is a challenging process for every addict and finding comfort among one's peer group is a good way of getting the support needed to make the process that much more endurable.

Criminal justice clients often need drug or alcohol treatment because of their problems with addiction. Due to the nature of the criminal justice system, there are distinct steps and guidelines that must be completed in order to be admitted into a criminal justice drug rehab facility or recovery program. The first step is to determine 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. Often, the criminal justice clients obtain their drug and alcohol treatment 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.

Self payment drug and alcohol rehab facilities are an outstanding alternative to other types of rehabilitation programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. People who are able to attend self payment programs pay for their entire rehab 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 rehabilitation program. In order to learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a substance abuse rehab center and inquire as to their payment options. It is a good idea to contact a number of programs so that you have an understanding of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment methods.