Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days weekly. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a brief history of drug use which is really a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers that provide treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial treatment choice.