Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time each day or several days per week. This is very helpful for many who have just completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with only a brief history of drug use which is really a really small number of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide treatment on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.