Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab if they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services part-time daily or a few days each week. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a brief history of drug use which is really a really small number of clients. For an individual with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous treatment alternative.