Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis each day or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for those who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For someone with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment option.