Project

Project Skills

Project Description

Project Skills was a demonstration project to test the effects of adding a skills training and network development aftercare intervention to adult residential treatment for drug abuse. The program collaborated with four therapeutic communities in the Seattle area and randomly assigned residents approaching the reentry stage of treatment when they still lived in the facility but worked or went to school outside the residential facility. The program included skills training in social, emotional, and behavioral skills to initiate and maintain relationships, refuse drug and alcohol offers, negotiate, and deal with conflict. Stress coping skills were also taught. In addition, program participants were matched with volunteers who aided them in exploring organizational membership opportunities in organizations that conducted activities in which the participants expressed interest. The program was effective in teaching the participants skills, reduced use of selected drugs including amphetamines and marijuana, and increased the total number of drug-free weeks after treatment.