The Emergence of Formalized Salvation Army Addictions Treatment

Abstract

Beginning in Detroit in 1939, The Salvation Army developed a network of substance abuse treatment facilities throughout the United States and Canada. These facilities, known as Harbor Lights, used charitable and private funding to serve a predominately White alcohol abusing population. Beginning in the 1960s, these facilities relied increasingly on governmental sources to treat a more diverse, and multi‐substance‐abusing population. Using documents from The Salvation Army National Headquarters' Archives and interviews with recent Harbor Light directors, this paper discusses key religious, organizational, social, and economic influences that led to the outcome of the emergence of these programs.