Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug rehab program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or several days per week. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities which provide rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.