Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab program. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everybody. People who choose an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time on a daily basis or several days per week. This is very helpful for individuals who have recently completed a more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For an individual with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab centers that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehabilitation option.