Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in treatment services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So even though 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 on a part-time basis each day or a few days per week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small percentage of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation centers that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial treatment choice.