Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services part-time each day or a few days a week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For an individual with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs that provide treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment alternative.