Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis every day or a few days a week. This is often helpful for many who have just completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of drug use which is really a very small number of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab alternative.