Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everyone. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time daily or several days a week. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a short history of drug use which is really a very small amount of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers that provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment choice.