Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis daily or a few days each week. This is helpful for those who have just completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs which offer treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment choice.