Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or a few days each week. This is very helpful for those who have recently completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For someone with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs which provide treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehabilitation choice.