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 treatment client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who choose an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services part-time daily or several days a week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab programs which provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment alternative.