Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in treatment services without the commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or several days a week. This is often helpful for many who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For someone with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab centers that provide rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehab alternative.