Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis every day or a few days per week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a short history of drug use which is really a really small number of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facilities which provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial treatment alternative.