Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This is very helpful for many who have just completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs which offer rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment choice.