Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time daily or a few days each week. This is very helpful for those who have just completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For an individual with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs which offer rehab over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation choice.