Monitoring change in community-oriented treatment programs

Changes in the social climate of two alcoholism treatment programs were evaluated by repeated assessments with the Community-Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES). The programs were similar in size and treatment orientation, but differed in physical and organizational setting, program length, and patient and staff characteristics. Specific and unique changes occurring within the treatment programs resulted in corresponding changes in relevant dimensions of the programs' social climates. The practical utility of COPES evaluations in instituting quality control and evaluating the results of change in community-oriented treatment programs is discussed.