Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services without the commitment one would normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or a few days a week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a very small amount of clients. For a person with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs which provide rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehabilitation option.