Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehab services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or a few days each week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is really a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs that provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.