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Substance abuse treatment is a type of behavior modification therapy that assists people in breaking the cycle of abusing alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medications that are being used improperly.

Substance abuse is the habitual misuse of alcohol or drugs. Drug abuse may involve using illegal drugs or using prescription medications for non-prescribed purposes. The main symptom of substance abuse is the continued use of alcohol or drugs despite negative consequences, such as being arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Symptoms may also include tolerance (needing larger amounts of a substance to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal (physical symptoms, such as shaking or nausea, which are experienced after discontinuing use of a substance).

Substance abuse treatments are designed for patients who abuse alcohol or drugs and cannot stop using these substances without receiving assistance. The long-term goal of treatment is to help the patient stop abusing alcohol or drugs on a permanent basis. Short-term treatment goals include reducing substance use, improving the ability of patients to function without using substances and minimizing the medical and social complications related to substance abuse. Treatment may also include services that address problems caused by substance abuse, such as relationship difficulties.

Patients may be treated by a team of professionals that may include physicians (e.g., psychiatrists), psychologists, nurses, social workers, substance abuse counselors or other professionals. Different members of the team address different patient needs. For example, a psychiatrist may prescribe medications used during treatment whereas a psychologist or substance abuse counselor may address emotional issues associated with substance abuse, such as depression.

There are several different types of substance abuse treatment programs. They include:

• Inpatient treatment. Special units in hospitals or medical clinics that offer detoxification and rehabilitation services.
  
  
• Residential programs. Living environments that offer treatment services. There are several types of residential programs in existence. One such example is therapeutic communities. These long-term residential treatment programs focus on behavioral change and personal responsibility in all areas of a patient’s life, not just in addressing substance abuse. Residential programs usually last for one month to a year or longer.
  
  
• Outpatient programs. Services are provided in a variety of settings, such as mental health clinics, hospital clinics and local health department offices. Patients receive services on-site, but live at home. Some programs require daily attendance. Others require attendance one to three times a week. Programs typically last from two months to a year. There are several different types of outpatient programs including:
  
  
• Partial hospitalization or day treatment. Services that are provided in hospitals or free-standing clinics. Patients receive treatment for four to eight hours a day, but live at home. Programs typically last for at least three months.
  
  
• Intensive outpatient programs. Outpatient program with rigorous attendance requirements, such as nine to 20 hours a week. Programs typically last from two months to a year.
  
  
• Methadone clinics (also called methadone maintenance treatment programs for opioid addiction).  Clinics that provide medication-assisted outpatient treatment for people who are addicted to opioid drugs, such as heroin. Programs use medication (e.g., methadone, burprenorphine) to help patients avoid using drugs and also provide counseling and other services. Patients may be treated on a long-term basis.

There are approximately 1.8 million admissions to substance abuse treatment centers each year, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The vast majority of people entering programs seek treatment for addiction to alcohol, opiates (primarily heroin), cocaine, marijuana and stimulants (primarily methamphetamine).