Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For somebody with more significant addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab centers which offer rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehab alternative.