Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People that choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or a few days weekly. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a brief history of drug use which is really a very small percentage of clients. For an individual with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide treatment over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehab alternative.