Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services part-time every day or a few days a week. This is helpful for many who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For an individual with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.