Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time daily or several days each week. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed an even more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab programs that provide treatment over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation option.