Individuals who want to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need treatment for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential drug treatment facility. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those individuals who need to solve substantial drug abuse issues. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that do decide on an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services part-time every day or several days each week. This is very helpful for those who have just completed a far more thorough inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, and for someone with just a brief history of drug use which is usually a very small amount of clients. For someone with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab centers which provide rehab on a long-term basis will be the more advantageous treatment alternative.