Individuals who would like to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab if they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab allows for the treatment client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment one would normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address significant substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People who choose an outpatient rehab will ordinarily show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis daily or several days each week. This is helpful for many who have just completed a far more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with just a short history of drug abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For someone with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehab centers which offer treatment over a long-term basis are going to be the more effective treatment option.