Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in treatment services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services part-time every day or several days weekly. This can be very helpful for those who have recently completed a much 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 usually a really small amount of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab centers that provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab alternative.