Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time each day or several days a week. This is very helpful for many who have just completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facilities which provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.