Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or several days a week. This is helpful for many who have recently completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab option.