Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis every day or several days weekly. This is often helpful for many who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more significant addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities which offer treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment alternative.