Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment one would normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a really small percentage of clients. For a person with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation centers which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.