Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services part-time every day or a few days weekly. This is often helpful for many who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a very small number of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities which provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.