Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or a few days each week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities which offer treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial treatment choice.