Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehab services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will usually take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for many who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation option.