Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to take part in rehab services without the commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services part-time each day or several days per week. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For somebody with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment option.