Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or a few days each week. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facilities which provide treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.