Individuals who wish to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab should they need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the treatment client to participate in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug and alcohol treatment program. This doesn't always work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those individuals who need to address substantial substance abuse issues. So while an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People that choose an outpatient rehab will usually attend meetings and be a part of counseling and treatment services on a part-time basis on a daily basis or a few days a week. This can be very helpful for those who have recently completed a more complete inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or upkeep step, or for someone with only a short history of substance abuse which is really a really small number of clients. For an individual with more severe addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehab centers that provide rehab on a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehab alternative.