Individuals who wish to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or a few days a week. This is helpful for individuals who have just completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small percentage of clients. For somebody with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs that provide rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more beneficial rehabilitation choice.