Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility within their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need rehabilitation for substance abuse. Outpatient rehab will allow for the treatment client to take part in rehab services without the commitment you might usually have to consent to in an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment program. This doesn't always work in the rehab client's favor however, particularly for those clients who need to solve significant drug abuse problems. So even though an outpatient rehab may seem like a convenient possibility, it isn't for everybody. Those that decide on an outpatient rehab will usually show up at meetings and be a part of counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis daily or several days per week. This is helpful for many who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a short history of drug abuse which is usually a very small amount of clients. For someone with more significant drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug treatment facilities that provide treatment on a long-term basis will be the more beneficial treatment alternative.