Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time every day or a few days each week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small amount of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs that provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehab option.