Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in treatment services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time every day or several days each week. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For a person with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities which provide treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab alternative.