Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to participate in treatment services without the commitment one would normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or a few days each week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehabilitation choice.