Methodology and characteristics of programs and clients in the social model process evaluation

A process evaluation of social model residential substance abuse programs was conducted by the Alcohol Research Group (ARG) from September 1995 to April 1996. This paper first describes the qualitative protocol used in that study, including site selection, rules for observation, and the grounded theory approach taken to data analysis. Overviews of the programs offered at each study site are given, including overall philosophy, staffing approach, size of program, length of stay, funding sources and cost for average stay. Using survey data available from another ARG study, background demographic and Addiction Severity Index client level information are presented to augment the program level results of the process evaluation.