Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would normally have to consent to in 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 address significant substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services part-time on a daily basis or a few days per week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed an even more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facilities which offer treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab alternative.