Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or a few days weekly. This can be very helpful for individuals who have just completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which offer rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment alternative.