Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or a few days weekly. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation centers that provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment alternative.