Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the rehab client to participate in treatment services without the commitment you might ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will typically attend meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis daily or several days a week. This is helpful for many who have recently completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, and someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is really a very small amount of clients. For somebody with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment centers that provide rehabilitation on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous treatment alternative.