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 carried out on an outpatient basis, where the person will typically attend treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the individual to stay in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is particularly 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 different circumstances which can be different for each person. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate on getting the person physically rehabilitated, and then focus on the root psychological and emotional issues.

Detoxification is commonly the 1st step in getting off drugs. It enables an individual to be in a supervised setting 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 common mistake that many addicts make is to believe that detox is sufficient to kick their habit. This is seldom the case. All detox does is get somebody through the withdrawal when they stop using. It is always recommended that detox be followed up with some type of treatment plan to learn the root of why someone was using drugs in the first place.

Enrolling into a residential long-term treatment program (more than 30 days) is the best way ofapproaching a severe substance abuse problem. This type of drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility 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 rehabilitation program (more than 30 days) means that you as the client will reside at the rehabilitation center around the clock while you are in recovery. While providing a more relaxed home-like setting the client has access to counselors and staff at all times. Long term drug or alcohol rehab programs are an ideal 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 address both issues in order to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs to relieve symptoms of mental health problems, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, creates symptoms which are identical to mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction treatment professionals know how to differentiate between the two, and can work with clients to correctly 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 healthy.

When pregnant/postpartum women need substance abuse rehabilitation there are numerous issues unique to their situation that must be addressed. This distinct 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 recovery plan. Although the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's particular needs it is understood that the longer a person participates in treatment the better their chance of lasting sobriety. Many rehab facilities for pregnant/postpartum women run six to nine months on average.

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

While residential beds for clients children is not as common as other specialized types of drug treatment centers, they are possible to find if you are in need. Back in 2007, the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services reported that 515 (14%) of residential substance abuse treatment facilities offered beds for both mothers and their children. There is a great benefit to both the mother and child who are able to attend recovery programs that offer residential beds for clients children. The mother is able to receive the drug addiction treatment they need while remaining close with their children through the treatment process of substance abuse recovery. Many parents (mothers in particular) do not want to admit that they need help for their addiction problemsbecause they fear that their children will be taken away. These programs help to reduce this fear while providing the care that both parent and child so desperately need.