Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time each day or several days weekly. This is often helpful for many who have recently completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab centers which offer rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation option.