Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address substantial substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days each week. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which offer rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.