Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time each day or several days each week. This is helpful for those who have just completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation centers that provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehab choice.