Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically 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 everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days per week. This is helpful for many who have just completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers which offer treatment on a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment alternative.