Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or several days each week. This is very helpful for those who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehab centers that provide treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment choice.