Individuals who want to maintain some flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab when they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab enables the rehab client to participate in rehabilitation services without the commitment one would ordinarily have to consent to within an inpatient or residential alcohol and drug treatment center. This doesn't often work in the rehabilitation client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address substantial drug abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune option, it isn't for everybody. People that decide on an outpatient rehab will generally attend meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis each day or a few days a week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed an even more extensive inpatient or residential program as a good aftercare or maintenance step, and for someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a really small number of clients. For a person with more serious drug abuse and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs that provide rehab over a long-term basis are going to be the more beneficial rehabilitation choice.