Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services part-time daily or a few days a week. This is very helpful for individuals who have just completed an even more comprehensive 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 number of clients. For someone with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs that provide rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab option.