Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and be a part of therapy and rehab services on a part-time basis on a daily basis 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 maintenance step, or someone with just a short history of drug use which is really a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which provide treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment option.