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 makes it possible for the treatment client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time each day or several days a week. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For a person with more significant addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs that provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.