Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve significant drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time every day or several days each week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab programs which offer treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment alternative.