Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time daily or a few days per week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab facilities which offer rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment alternative.