Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility within their lives can take advantage of an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment one would ordinarily have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation facility. This doesn't always work in the treatment client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to resolve significant drug abuse issues. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient option, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis every day or several days weekly. This is often helpful for those who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with just a brief history of drug abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency issues, inpatient or residential drug treatment programs that provide rehab on a long-term basis will probably be the more advantageous rehabilitation option.