Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time every day or several days each week. This is often helpful for many who have just completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab centers which provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.