Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehabilitation client to participate in rehab services without the commitment one would usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or several days a week. This is often helpful for those who have just completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment facilities which provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous rehabilitation option.