Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or a few days each week. This is very helpful for many who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug use which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment choice.