Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time each day or a few days each week. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment centers that provide treatment on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation choice.