Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who do choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or several days each week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a short history of drug use which is really a really small amount of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs which offer rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab option.