To examine the prevalence of social model philosophy in programs today and to study ways in which the philosophy may have eroded in recent years, a survey was mailed in 1998 to all state-licensed alcohol and drug residential programs in California (83% response rate). Analysis of the survey (Social Model Philosophy Scale, n=311 ) also identified specific ways in which social model programs differ from other types of programs such as medical/clinical model programs or therapeutic communities (e.g., by exhibiting more active 12-step community involvement). Results reveal that social model programs adhere decreasingly to social model principles in their philosophy and operation; for example, …