Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation 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. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days each week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug use which is really a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab programs which provide rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehabilitation choice.