Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People who choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services part-time on a daily basis or several days per week. This is very helpful for many who have just completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities which provide treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab alternative.