Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed an even more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities which offer rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment alternative.