Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or a few days per week. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug use which is really a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehab alternative.