Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often 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 an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or a few days weekly. This is very helpful for individuals who have just completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facilities that provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab option.