Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or several days per week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which offer rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab alternative.