Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time each day or several days each week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous treatment option.