Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time each day or a few days each week. This is often helpful for many who have just completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab programs which provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehab option.