Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People who choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time on a daily basis or several days a week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment centers which provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehab alternative.