Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or several days per week. This can be very helpful for many who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation choice.