Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or several days weekly. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed an even more comprehensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is really a really small percentage of clients. For somebody with more severe drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs that provide rehab over a long-term basis will be the more advantageous rehab choice.