Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis daily or several days weekly. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For someone with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs which provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab alternative.