Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab when they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to take part in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune option, it isn't for everyone. People who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily take part in meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services part-time each day or several days per week. This is very helpful for those who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is really a really small amount of clients. For someone with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment programs which offer treatment over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.