Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or a few days per week. This is often helpful for those who have just completed an even more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For an individual with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities which offer treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehabilitation option.