Substance-related residential treatment is characterized by service facilities that offer supervised, structured care 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to individuals seeking assistance with overcoming addiction. These facilities exist within a continuum of care, and it is assumed that individuals with severe addictions will [Page 787]benefit from a stable and controlled environment that removes the client from maladaptive lifestyles. Residential facilities are usually operated by either nonprofit organizations or private for-profit organizations, and payment for services can be made by clients as self-payers or from publicly funded sources (e.g., Medicaid). Individuals may enter residential treatment by self-referral or by referral from another party, such as an employer, physician, or social service agency.

Although there are several similarities across various programs, there are also many ...