Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the rehab client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who do decide on an outpatient rehab will ordinarily attend meetings and be a part of counseling and rehabilitation services part-time every day or several days each week. This can be very helpful for many who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers that provide treatment over a long-term basis will be the more beneficial treatment alternative.