Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis daily or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more extensive 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 very small percentage of clients. For a person with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation alternative.