Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. Those that choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis each day or a few days each week. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs that provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.