Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily 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, specifically those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or a few days a week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small percentage of clients. For an individual with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment choice.