Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis every day or a few days weekly. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a brief history of drug use which is usually a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation centers which offer rehabilitation on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehab option.