Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might normally have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug treatment center. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everyone. Those who choose an outpatient rehab will typically show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services part-time daily or a few days per week. This is very helpful for many who have just completed a far more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For somebody with more serious addiction and dependency issues, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more effective rehab alternative.