Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time daily or several days each week. This is often helpful for many who have recently completed an even more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab centers which offer rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment alternative.