Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services part-time each day or several days a week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab option.