Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment one would normally have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or several days each week. This is very helpful for many who have just completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab alternative.