Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services part-time every day or a few days each week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For someone with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab alternative.