Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time each day or several days a week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a very small number of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities which provide treatment over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehab option.