Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or several days each week. This is helpful for many who have recently completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab centers which provide treatment on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.