Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everyone. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time each day or several days weekly. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For a person with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab centers which provide treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment option.