Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days a week. This is often helpful for many who have just completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities which offer treatment over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehab choice.