Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time each day or a few days each week. This is often helpful for those who have just completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance 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 rehab facilities which provide treatment on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehab alternative.