Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to take part in treatment services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time each day or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug use which is usually a very small number of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment alternative.