Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or several days a week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small percentage of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs which provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.