Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in therapy and treatment services part-time each day or a few days per week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For someone with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab facilities which provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehabilitation option.