Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services part-time each day or several days a week. This is very helpful for many who have just completed a much more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a very small number of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs which offer treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment option.