Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that choose an outpatient rehab will usually take part in meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time every day or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for many who have just completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a short history of drug use which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment alternative.