Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug rehab facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or a few days a week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For somebody with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs which offer rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment choice.