Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in treatment services without the commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time on a daily basis or several days each week. This is helpful for those who have just completed an even more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers which offer rehab on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous treatment alternative.