Community Drug Treatment Programs: Benefits & Support

Community-based treatment is effective in the engagement of community partners. Development of a supportive environment that is sensitive to culture and gender is an important advantage of community drug treatment programs.

Peer Support

• A network of peer recovery advocates is one advantage of the community drug treatment program. This network provides alternative social opportunities, such as team sports, family-centered holiday celebrations and payday gatherings focused on alcohol- and drug-free activities.

Existing Service Integration

• Community-based drug treatment programs utilize services that are currently operating within the community and are adversely affected by drug abuse, like low-income family health (WIC), AIDS prevention programs and the criminal justice system.

Social Supports

• Community-based drug treatment programs provide four kinds of social support that have proven successful in drug treatment: emotional, informational, instrumental and affiliated.

New Therapies

• Clinical trial research is available to support new therapies for treatment. These trials can supply funding for communities interested in participating.

Continuum of Care

• Services of a community drug treatment program range from detoxification to aftercare. The coordination of non-specialist services that are needed to meet clients' needs are an advantage to a large population of addicted clients.