RESIDENT ADAPTATIONS IN AN ALCOHOLICS-ANONYMOUS BASED RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR THE URBAN HOMELESS

This article reports exploratory findings from a ''mini-ethnography'' conducted as part of a larger process evaluation of a federally funded program designed to provide long-term, phased recovery ser-vices to homeless alcoholics in Los Angeles, California. Among other issues, the study describes problems that may arise in adapting a primarily informal and self-help (Alcoholics Anonymous-based) program approach, the ''social model,'' to an increasingly diverse population of homeless substance abusers.