Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or a few days per week. This is often helpful for many who have just 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 drug abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities which offer rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective treatment option.