ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the direct connections between specific aspects of the treatment climate and clients' community outcomes. It presents some general relationships between aspects of treatment environments and indices of in-program and community adaptation. Readmission is associated with poor post-treatment functioning, is costly, and, by targeting resources for a small group of recurrent patients, may delay treatment for other individuals. Program readmission or community tenure rates are easily monitored through secondary data sources; accordingly, it is quite inexpensive to obtain this information. The Low Community Tenure program's treatment milieu was quite different. Staff reported only moderate involvement and support and relatively little emphasis on the development of work and social skills or on self-understanding. The majority of adolescent clients with substance abuse problems are treated in outpatient "drug-free" programs. Aside from the fact that these programs tend to have few controls and relatively little structure, not much is known about these programs or how they affect their clients.
