Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services part-time on a daily basis or several days per week. This is often helpful for many who have just completed an even more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers that provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehab alternative.