Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or a few days each week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For someone with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities which offer treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment choice.