Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehab services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis daily or a few days a week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities which offer rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehab option.