Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those that choose an outpatient rehab will usually take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or several days a week. This is very helpful for those who have just completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a brief history of drug use which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For someone with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab programs which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment alternative.