Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. Those who do choose an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This can be very helpful for those who have recently completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a really small amount of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities that provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial treatment alternative.