Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services part-time daily or a few days weekly. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug use which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers which provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab option.