Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would usually have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time each day or several days a week. This is often helpful for many who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities which offer treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab alternative.