Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who choose an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or a few days per week. This is helpful for many who have recently completed an even more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab centers that provide treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation choice.