Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment one would normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time each day or several days per week. This is often helpful for many who have just completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For an individual with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab programs which offer rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehabilitation choice.