Individuals who want to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in their lives can engage in an outpatient rehab whenever they need rehab for drug or alcohol abuse. Outpatient rehab makes it possible for the rehabilitation client to take part in rehabilitation services with the same commitment you might usually have to agree to within an inpatient or residential drug rehab center. This doesn't often work in the rehab client's favor however, specifically those clients who need to address substantial substance abuse problems. So although an outpatient rehab might appear to be an opportune possibility, it isn't for everybody. People that do decide on an outpatient rehab will generally take part in meetings and take part in counseling and rehab services on a part-time basis daily or a few days each week. This is very helpful for many who have recently completed a much more thorough inpatient or residential program as an effective aftercare or maintenance step, and someone with only a brief history of substance abuse which is usually a really small amount of clients. For a person with more significant addiction and dependency problems, inpatient or residential drug rehabilitation programs which offer treatment on a long-term basis will be the more effective rehab alternative.