Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to solve substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services part-time each day or several days per week. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs which offer treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.