Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time each day or a few days a week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is really a very small percentage of clients. For a person with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities that provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.