Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facility. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or several days each week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab programs which offer treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab choice.