Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or several days a week. This can be very helpful for those who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities that provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.