Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and take part in therapy and rehab services part-time each day or several days each week. This is very helpful for individuals who have just completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment centers which offer rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation option.