Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facility. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or a few days per week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab centers that provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial treatment alternative.