Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services part-time each day or several days a week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehab option.