Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time daily or a few days per week. This can be very helpful for many who have recently completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers that provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.