Hospital inpatient drug or alcohol treatment is done 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 person may encounter 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 in case of any complications. Hospital inpatient treatment is also delivered to individuals who choose to undergo medication assisted withdrawal, as is the case with opiate addicted individuals who wish to use this type of detox approach to avoid the severe withdrawal symptoms associated with heroin or other opiate withdrawal. This type of opiate detoxification is not considered full rehabilitation and these people will require additional counseling and therapy to fully recover from addiction.

Individuals can become addicted to drugs or alcohol no matter their handicap, disability or personal physical challenge. This sometimes makes people particularly more vulnerable to becoming involved in drug or alcohol use, because of the varying 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 persons will require ASL or other assistance as part of their treatment needs, and there are drug treatment programs available which provide these services. Professional treatment counselors who know ASL and can offer other necessary assistance to deaf or hearing impaired substance abusers.

There are more and more Spanish speaking clients walking into substance abuse rehabilitation centers every day needing help. Because Spanish is such a prevalent language in this country, many substance abuse rehabilitation facilities are capable of providing treatment services to Spanish speaking people. Additionally, many counselors and therapists make it a point to learn the language so as to be able to provide the support and care needed for Spanish speaking individuals.