Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment one would normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time each day or several days weekly. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities which provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous treatment alternative.