Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis every day or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facilities which offer rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehab alternative.