Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility within 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 treatment client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or a few days each week. This is helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which offer treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehabilitation choice.