Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time every day or a few days per week. This is often helpful for those who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more significant addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab facilities which offer rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment alternative.