Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days a week. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For someone with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehab choice.