Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or a few days each week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a very small number of clients. For someone with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation centers which provide rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation choice.