Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or a few days each week. This is very helpful for those who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs which offer rehabilitation on a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial treatment choice.