Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to take part in treatment services without the commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehab center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve substantial substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those who do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis each day or a few days per week. This is helpful for many who have just completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is really a very small percentage of clients. For a person with more severe drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs that provide treatment on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment alternative.