Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehab services without the commitment one would normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have just completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment centers which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.