Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or several days weekly. This is often helpful for many who have just completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities which offer rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment choice.