Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services part-time daily or a few days per week. This can be very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For a person with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs which provide treatment over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial rehabilitation option.