Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis daily or a few days each week. This can be very helpful for those who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities which provide treatment over a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment option.