The founders of ARC believe that in order for the treatment of addiction to be effective it must be holistic. In addition to the treatment of the primary illness of chemical dependency or substance abuse it must also address the psychological and social behaviors, which precipitate substance abuse and are exacerbated by prolonged, chronic use. The overt manifestation of addiction, is characterized not only by compulsive use of mind altering and/or mood changing chemicals but is also associated with other self destructive interpersonal and interpersonal patterns of behavior. Long-term recovery is dependent upon changing these self-destructive behaviors.