Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time every day or a few days per week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For an individual with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs which offer rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation choice.