Individuals who wish to maintain a lot of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to consent to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to resolve significant substance abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient option, it isn't for everyone. People that do choose an outpatient rehab will typically take part in meetings and take part in counseling and rehabilitation services on a part-time basis daily or several days per week. This can be very helpful for many who have just completed an even more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, or someone with only a brief history of drug use which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more serious addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment centers which offer rehabilitation over a long-term basis will be the more effective rehabilitation option.