Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and take part in therapy and rehabilitation services part-time daily or a few days each week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For an individual with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities which provide treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehab alternative.