Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of 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 treatment client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis every day or several days weekly. This is often helpful for individuals who have just completed a more complete inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is really a really small percentage of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs which offer rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehab option.