Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.