Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis every day or several days each week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment centers that provide treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment choice.