Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services part-time daily or a few days a week. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab centers which provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.