Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis each day or several days per week. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed a more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs which offer treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.