Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time every day or several days a week. This is very helpful for those who have recently completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For somebody with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment alternative.