Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time daily or several days a week. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a brief history of drug use which is really a very small number of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs that provide treatment over a long-term basis will be the more advantageous treatment option.