Individuals who wish to maintain a lot 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 rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab program. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days a week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities which provide treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment alternative.