Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will usually take part in meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time every day or a few days each week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a really small amount of clients. For a person with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers that provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous treatment alternative.