Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to take part in treatment services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days each week. This can be very helpful for many who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For someone with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab programs which offer rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation option.