Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis each day or a few days each week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers which provide treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment alternative.