Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment one would normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and be a part of therapy and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or several days weekly. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment choice.