Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug rehab program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or a few days per week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For someone with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.