Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or several days per week. This can be very helpful for many who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a short history of drug use which is really a very small percentage of clients. For a person with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs which provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab option.