Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or a few days weekly. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of drug use which is usually a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers which provide rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation option.