Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab facility. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time each day or a few days a week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For somebody with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab facilities which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation option.