Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehab services without the commitment one would normally have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug rehab center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services part-time on a daily basis or a few days a week. This is very helpful for individuals who have just completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small number of clients. For an individual with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab alternative.