Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days per week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab facilities which offer rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.