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An historical and developmental analysis of social model programs
T J Borkman1, L A Kaskutas, J Room
1George Mason University, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Fairfax, VA.
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|April 16, 1998
Summary
Social Model Programs (SMPs), originating from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), offer a cost-effective approach to addiction recovery. These community-based services provide a continuum of care with comparable outcomes to traditional models.
Area of Science:
- Social Science
- Public Health
- Addiction Studies
Background:
- The social or community model of recovery evolved from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
- Social Model Programs (SMPs) emerged in the 1940s, developing into publicly funded nonprofit organizations by the 1980s.
- SMPs differ from professional treatment models in their philosophy, knowledge base, and practices.
Observation:
- SMPs encompass a range of services, including social setting detoxification, residential recovery homes, neighborhood recovery centers, and sober living houses.
- These programs are exclusively staffed by individuals in recovery.
- Program structure is based on AA's 12 traditions, promoting democratic group processes and shared leadership.
Findings:
- Residential social model programs cost approximately $2,700 per stay, compared to $4,400 for other residential approaches.
- Outcomes in substance use, employment, and family function appear comparable between SMPs and other models.
- The literature analyzed for this review includes non-traditional sources.
Implications:
- SMPs present a potentially more cost-effective alternative for addiction recovery services.
- The community-based, peer-led model offers a viable continuum of care.
- Further research into the long-term efficacy and scalability of SMPs is warranted.