Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis every day or several days a week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For an individual with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities which offer rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment alternative.