Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time every day or a few days per week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab programs which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehab alternative.