Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time each day or several days weekly. This is very helpful for those who have recently completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities which offer rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation choice.