Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis daily or a few days per week. This is helpful for many who have recently completed a more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation centers which provide treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation choice.