Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days a week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For a person with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facilities which provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment option.