Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or several days a week. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities which offer rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment alternative.