Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time daily or a few days each week. This can be very helpful for those who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment centers that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.