Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. Those who decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days each week. This is often helpful for individuals who have recently completed an even more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a brief history of drug abuse which is really a very small number of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehab option.