Individuals who would like to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in rehab services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services part-time every day or a few days weekly. This is often helpful for those who have just completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehabilitation alternative.