Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in treatment 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 rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everyone. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or several days each week. This is often helpful for many who have recently completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a brief history of drug use which is really a very small amount of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment option.