Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis daily or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for many who have recently completed an even more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For an individual with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which offer treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment alternative.