Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services part-time daily or a few days per week. This is often helpful for many who have recently completed an even more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For an individual with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation centers which provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehab alternative.