Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehab services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address substantial substance abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis every day or several days a week. This is helpful for many who have recently completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a short history of substance abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment centers which offer rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehab choice.