Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in treatment services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or a few days weekly. This is helpful for many who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs which offer treatment on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation option.