Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everyone. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or several days per week. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab programs that provide treatment on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation option.