Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or a few days a week. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation choice.