Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis every day or several days a week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facilities that provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehab alternative.