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 will allow for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days a week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities which offer rehab over a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment choice.