Individuals who would like to maintain some flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to take part in rehab services with the same commitment you might normally have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everybody. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or several days a week. This can be very helpful for those who have just completed a much more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment facilities that provide rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more advantageous treatment alternative.