Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services part-time every day or several days per week. This is helpful for many who have just completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a short history of drug use which is usually a really small amount of clients. For an individual with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs which provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment alternative.