Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time each day or several days per week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a short history of drug use which is really a really small amount of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab centers which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.