Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or several days a week. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment centers which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehab option.