Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in treatment services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who do 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 every day or several days per week. This is very helpful for those who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facilities which provide rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.