Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time each day or several days weekly. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For an individual with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab facilities that provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment alternative.