Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve substantial substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or a few days per week. This is very helpful for individuals who have just completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment option.