Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehab services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or a few days a week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab choice.