Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or several days each week. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug use which is really a very small number of clients. For an individual with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment centers which provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation option.