Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis daily or a few days weekly. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed an even more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab programs which offer rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment alternative.