Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have just completed a more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For an individual with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facilities which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehab alternative.