Drug or alcohol treatment programs 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 substance abuse treatment program delivers many of the same services as an inpatient program, but allows for flexibility as opposed to an inpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility where the individual is required to stay and reside at the rehab center until the treatment process is complete. Outpatient drug treatment is also offered for individuals who have already gone through residential or inpatient treatment but require a thorough aftercare program which will offer additional support and therapy to help them avoid relapse.

Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders must address both issues if there is any hope for them to recover completely. Some individuals take drugs or alcohol to alleviate symptoms of mental health problems, and some people take drugs which then, in turn, brings about symptoms which are identical to mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. 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 individual. This has proven to be effective in keeping individuals with mental health issues off of drugs and mentally stable and healthy.

Individuals can become addicted to drugs no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes individuals particularly more susceptible 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 needed. Deaf or hearing impaired individuals will need ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug treatment facilities available which cater to these needs. Professional treatment counselors who know ASL and can offer other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.