Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days per week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with just a brief history of drug use which is really a very small percentage of clients. For an individual with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment alternative.