Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or a few days weekly. This is helpful for many who have just completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For an individual with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers that provide rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment option.