Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services part-time each day or several days each week. This is often helpful for those who have just completed an even more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities which provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment choice.