Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or several days per week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For someone with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs that provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment choice.