Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the treatment client to take part in rehab services without the commitment one would usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to address substantial substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab might appear to be an expedient possibility, it isn't for everyone. People who decide on an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis each day or a few days weekly. This can be very helpful for many who have recently completed a much more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with just a short history of drug use which is usually a really small percentage of clients. For an individual with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment programs that provide rehabilitation over a long-term basis will probably be the more effective rehab alternative.