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.

Hospital inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation is performed in a hospital or similar setting and is overseen by doctors and other medical staff. Hospital inpatient treatment is sometimes necessary in the beginning stages of abstinence when the client may experience the onset of medically dangerous withdrawal symptoms, which is sometimes true when quitting alcohol as well as a category of prescription drugs known as benzodiazepines which should be monitored very carefully by medical professionals to minimize ant dangerous health complications. Hospital inpatient treatment is also administered to those who desire a medication assisted withdrawal, as is the case with individuals who are addicted to opiates and wish to use this type of detoxification technique to manage the severe withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin or other opiate withdrawal. This type of opiate detoxification is not treatment in itself however, and these individuals will need additional counseling and therapy to fully recover from addiction.

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

Residential short-term treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is a type ofrehabilitation program where the individual will remain 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 recovering addict undergoes an intensive but short duration of treatment that typically 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 daily life once rehab is complete. Residential short-term treatment is not always effective for all scenarios of addiction, and most will require an aftercare program or additional treatment in a more long-term residential setting.

Attending a residential long-term treatment program (more than 30 days) is an effective way ofresolving a serious drug or alcohol addiction problem. This type of drug rehab facility is more comprehensive than others that only last a few weeks or those where the client 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 rehab facility around the clock while you are in recovery. While providing a more relaxed home-like environment the person has access to counselors and staff at all times. Long term drug rehab facilities are an excellent choice for those who have a long history of addiction 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 or alcohol to ease symptoms of mental health complications, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, brings about symptoms which are identical to mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Addiction rehabilitation professionals know how to distinguish between the two, and can work with clients to correctly treat real mental health conditions 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 disorders off of drugs and alcohol and mentally stable and productive.

People can become addicted to drugs or alcohol 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 person'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 necessary. Deaf or hearing impaired individuals will require ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug treatment centers available which provide these services. Professional substance abuse counselors who know ASL and can offer other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

Military health insurance normally refers to TRICARE and is a typically accepted insurance for certain drug treatment programs. A drug rehab that accepts military insurance will typically accept most other types of insurance as well. TRICARE typically covers detox, rehabilitation and outpatient treatment.