People experiencing homeless and substance use issues were eligible to enroll in a two-stage treatment program. During the first stage, participants were in day-treatment programming for 5.5 hours each weekday and resided in shelters or other temporary housing that participants secured through referrals to other agencies. Programming included group and individual therapy and coaching focused on helping participants address their substance use issues.

In the first two-month phase, intervention group participants were housed in Project H&ART residences and received group and individual therapy (one or two sessions per week), art therapy, psychodrama, group education classes, and weekly recreational events. Intervention participants were also required to attend AA or NA meetings daily. In the second two-month phase, intervention group participants primarily received case management designed to encourage them to search for employment and develop soft skills.

Participants in the Housing Without Peer Support program were provided with community-based housing (apartment- or motel-based) and subject to random alcohol and drug testing. Participants were also required to monitor their use of substance abuse and rehabilitation services, as well as other services received in the community, twice per week. Services were generally unsupervised.

The intervention housed participants in substance- and cost-free Project H&ART residences. Residence managers who were themselves recovering from substance use disorders provided participants with support. They encouraged participants to set personal goals and build peer support networks. Participants were required to (1) remain alcohol and drug free (as determined by random drug tests), (2) attend weekly community meetings, and (3) inform residence managers twice weekly about any other community services received.

The NOHSAP-TC program served adults experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders in the greater New Orleans area. Only people who completed a seven-day detoxification program in the NOHSAP facility could enroll in TC. The detoxification program involved daily group meetings, limited assessment and case management, and an introduction to principles from Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Cocaine Anonymous. During the TC program, participants were housed in the NOHSAP residential facility.