Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug rehab center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis every day or several days a week. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a short history of drug use which is really a very small amount of clients. For an individual with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment centers that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehab option.