Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days each week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For a person with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities which provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation choice.