Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will usually take part in meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time each day or several days per week. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.