Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment one would normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days a week. This is helpful for those who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For someone with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab programs which provide treatment on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation option.