Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will usually take part in meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days a week. This is often helpful for many who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For someone with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab centers that provide treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation option.