Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or several days weekly. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For someone with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab centers that provide treatment on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation option.