Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services part-time on a daily basis or several days per week. This is very helpful for individuals who have just completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with only a brief history of drug use which is really a really small number of clients. For an individual with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs that provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial treatment alternative.