Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug rehab program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time daily or a few days each week. This is often helpful for those who have just completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For an individual with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation option.