Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or several days per week. This is helpful for those who have just completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For someone with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.