Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time each day or several days weekly. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a very small percentage of clients. For someone with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.