Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment one would normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will usually take part in meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time each day or a few days weekly. This is often helpful for many who have just completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab centers that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment option.