Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or several days each week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a really small percentage of clients. For an individual with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab option.