Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facility. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that choose an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services part-time daily or several days a week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs which provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehab alternative.