Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis each day or a few days each week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment alternative.