Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time every day or a few days a week. This is helpful for those who have just completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs which offer rehab on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial treatment alternative.