Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent 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 individuals who need to solve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis every day or a few days each week. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities that provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation choice.