Substance abuse treatment is offered in a wide variety of different treatment settings with a variety of different treatment methods. For example, some substance abuse treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis, where the individual will typically attend treatment during the day but is allowed to return home daily. Other substance abuse treatment requires the person to stay in a hospital or residential facility during the entire course of treatment, which is particularly helpful in handling more severe cases of addiction. Inpatient and residential substance abuse treatment can be done on a short term or long term basis, depending on various circumstances which can be different for each individual. Most substance abuse treatment will concentrate 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.

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

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must handle both issues if there is any hope for them to become fully rehabilitated. Some individuals take drugs or alcohol to ease symptoms of mental health disorders, and some individuals take drugs which then, in turn, causes symptoms which are identical to mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Drug rehabilitation professionals know how to distinguish 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 disorders off of drugs and mentally stable and productive.

It is not unusual for someone with HIV/AIDS to end up in a substance abuse rehabilitation facility receiving help for severe addiction issues. 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 needles to inject drugs or participating 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 individual. Substance abuse rehabilitation programs 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 recovery are resolved 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 treatment. A specialized curriculum and treatment environment which is conducive to the needs of gays and lesbians is obtainable at certain drug and alcohol rehab facilities across the nation which recognize the unique needs and challenges which gays and lesbians will experience during treatment. Gay and lesbians can achieve full rehabilitation and recovery just like any other person in treatment, however it can be helpful for gays and lesbians to be in a supportive environment 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 and alcohol 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 affect treatment outcome if not addressed concurrently. It is beneficial for seniors and older adults to find treatment before any long term consequences occur.

When pregnant/postpartum women need substance abuse rehabilitation there are several concerns unique to their situation that must be addressed. This particular 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 typically requires programs that are both individualized and flexible in their treatment plan. While the length of stay may vary depending on the woman's specific needs it is recognized that the longer a person stays in treatment the better their chance of a successful recovery. Many rehab facilities for pregnant/postpartum women can run long-term for six months or more.

Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is a process that can be challenging and in a lot ofways intimidating. This is why some women seeking recovery feel more comfortable in treatment centers designed 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 facility 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 delicate issues are easier to work through in the company of other women without fear of judgment or ridicule.

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

DUI/DWI offenders are often required to enroll in a certain number of hours either in counseling, meetings or a substance abuse treatment program. Each state has its own requirements when it comes to retribution for the DUI/DWI offender. Offenders who are regarded as low to moderate DUI/DWI offenders will typically be required to participate in some form of group counseling or therapy. These are sometimes referred to as "Level I & Level II Alcohol Classes". These meetings are usually held by a professional in the field of addiction recovery or a person with long-term sobriety involved in the Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous groups. DUI/DWI offenders deemed to be serious offenders will likely have to serve jail time at a minimum before beginning their mandatory counseling or substance abuse rehab program.

Criminal justice clients typically need drug treatment because of their problems with drug and alcohol abuse. 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 substance abuse rehabilitation facility or recovery program. The initial step is to establish the criminal justice clients eligibility. This step is accomplished by a panel of officials who determine how much and what type of drug is necessary. Sometimes, 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.

Individuals can become addicted to drugs or alcohol no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes individuals particularly more vulnerable to becoming involved in drug or alcohol use, because of the difficult challenges that this can bring about in the individual'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 and alcohol treatment facilities available which provide these services. Professional treatment counselors who know ASL and can provide other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

Self payment substance abuse rehabilitation centers are an excellent alternative to other types of rehab programs i.e. private medical insurance and state funded facilities. People who are capable of attending self payment programs pay for their entire treatment 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 or alcohol rehabilitation program. To learn more about self payment at a specific program, make contact with a drug or alcohol treatment facility and inquire as to their payment options. It is beneficial to contact several programs so that you have a comparison of your choices with regards to treatment options and payment options.

Paying for drug treatment can be a problem, as all resources have been exhausted due to their addiction. Many drug treatment programs understand this fact which is why many drug rehab facilities across the nation offer payment options known as a sliding scale fee. There are many variables put into the equation of determining what the fee will be from person to person, and these factors are based on individual circumstances such as income, cash on hand, living circumstances, the size of one's family etc. Sliding scale fees have been in use for some time as most drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs would rather find a way to make it work financially so that those that need addiction help can get the help they need.