Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services part-time daily or a few days each week. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small number of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facilities which offer rehab on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.