Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time every day or a few days each week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment centers which offer treatment over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation choice.