Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facility. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or several days per week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed an even more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For an individual with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab facilities which offer rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab alternative.