Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time daily or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small number of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers that provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment alternative.