Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everyone. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days per week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is really a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more significant addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs which provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.