Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis daily or several days each week. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed an even more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities that provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.