Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that choose an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or several days a week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a short history of drug use which is usually a very small amount of clients. For an individual with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab programs that provide rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment alternative.