Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time each day or a few days each week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab option.