Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should 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 normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time every day or several days per week. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For someone with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities which offer rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab alternative.