Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or a few days per week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have just completed a more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs which provide treatment over a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment choice.