Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days each week. This can be very helpful for those who have recently completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a really small amount of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which offer treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.