Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually take part in meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days each week. This is very helpful for many who have just completed a far more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small percentage of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehab alternative.