The next step in substance abuse treatment is detoxification. Detoxification is the process of withdrawing the substance from the body. This is often accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms and cravings. Sometimes other medications are given to help the body cope with these symptoms. The patient is usually monitored either in an inpatient or outpatient facility. 

Rehabilitation is the third step. This is often the step that takes the longest. Programs range from a month to a year and usually include counseling, support groups, and family therapy. Mental health illnesses are also often evaluated and treated during this step. Rehabilitation needs to address the factors that cause substance abuse by a certain individual. Factors that contribute to drug abuse are: peer pressure, genetic make-up, anxiety, emotional distress, environmental stress and depression. Rehabilitation should give a patient the tools they need to help control and maintain these factors. For example, by providing support groups and other relationships substance abuse treatment centers can help reduce the impact that peer pressure has on an individual.

Abstinence is the final step. For many patients support groups continue to help them remain drug free. They often continue going to support groups at regular intervals long after the rehabilitation process is complete. Some support groups are: Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Ala-Teen, Al-Anon, SMART Recovery and LifeRing Recovery.