Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People who choose an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or a few days weekly. This is very helpful for those who have recently completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a short history of drug use which is really a really small number of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities which provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.