Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. Those that choose an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time each day or several days weekly. This is helpful for many who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a short history of drug use which is really a really small amount of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation centers that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment alternative.