Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even 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 usually a very small percentage of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment alternative.