Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or several days a week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a brief history of drug use which is really a really small number of clients. For somebody with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab programs which offer treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation option.