Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This is very helpful for those who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs that provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab alternative.