Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve substantial substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or a few days per week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For an individual with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment centers which provide treatment on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehab alternative.