Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services part-time every day or several days each week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more severe addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs that provide rehab over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab option.