Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time every day or a few days per week. This is helpful for those who have just completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For a person with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities that provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab choice.