Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those who do 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 several days a week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab centers which provide rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment alternative.