Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would normally have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or a few days each week. This is very helpful for those who have just completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab centers which offer rehab over a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehab alternative.