Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services part-time every day or a few days each week. This is very helpful for those who have just completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs that provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment alternative.