Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services part-time every day or several days per week. This is helpful for many who have recently completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a brief history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For someone with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs which provide rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab option.