Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in treatment services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the treatment client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to resolve substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. Those that do choose an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and take part in counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis each day or a few days weekly. This is helpful for those who have recently completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or for someone with only a short history of drug use which is usually a very small number of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs which provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehab choice.