Substance abuse is a treatable, and the appropriate treatment is crucial for drug abusers to reduce their drug use, improve their ability to function and minimize the medical and social complications. The goal for any person in treatment is to attain total recovery from substance abuse.

A one-time treatment will not suffice for a patient to achieve long-term abstinence from abuse or addiction. Various matching interventions, settings and services are used to cater to an individuals particular problems and needs. Treatments include counseling that helps patients avoid high-risk behavior, psychotherapy, medication; family therapy, parenting instruction, vocational rehabilitation and the assistance of medical, social and legal services.

The duration of the treatments or therapies also varies according to individual needs. Short-term methods that usually last less than 6 months include medication, residential therapy and drug-free, outpatient therapy. Medical detoxification can also be employed.

Longer-term treatments include residential therapeutic community treatment and methadone maintenance, outpatient treatment. Cognitive behavioral relapse prevention and contingency management are forms of behavioral therapies that are also effective means to treat the case.

There is no particular treatment that is best for all individuals. A combination of therapies and other services to meet the needs of individual patients can also work. Programs that consider various factors, such as age, gender, culture, race, sexual orientation, housing, employment and parenting, as well as physical and sexual abuse, have been proven to be the best treatment.

With strong support from friends and family, coupled with the right approach to treatment, the patients total and lasting abstinence from substance abuse can be achieved.