Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis daily or several days each week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab centers that provide treatment on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehabilitation alternative.