Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time daily or a few days weekly. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For an individual with more significant addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs which provide treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment alternative.