Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis daily or several days a week. This is often helpful for those who have just completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a short history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.