Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services part-time on a daily basis or a few days per week. This can be very helpful for those who have recently completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug use which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs that provide treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehab alternative.