Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or a few days weekly. This is often helpful for many who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities which provide treatment over a long-term basis will be the more effective treatment alternative.