Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment you might normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This can be very helpful for many who have recently completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug use which is really a very small percentage of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs which provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.