This report presents the findings of a mixed methods evaluation of the Adult Recovery Group (ARG) at Brandon House Treatment Centre, a Tier 3 addiction service within HSE Southwest. The ARG delivers a structured, abstinence oriented group programme rooted in the Minnesota Model of addiction treatment in a non residential, community setting. The overarching aim of the evaluation was to examine how participation in the ARG impacted drug and alcohol use, wellbeing and recovery capital in participants, and to understand how the programme operated as a community based alternative to residential treatment.

Conclusion: Overall, the evaluation indicates that the ARG at Brandon House operates as an effective community based, abstinence oriented intervention for many participants, supporting both reductions in substance use and the accumulation of recovery capital across personal and social domains. The model’s location within the community, rather than in a residential setting, appears to be a core strength, allowing recovery work to be integrated into everyday life and making change visible to families and local networks. At the same time, the findings highlight challenges related to structural staffing constraints. While the limitations of sample size, setting and follow-up period require cautious interpretation, suggests that the evidence the ARG contributes meaningfully to abstinence and to the building of recovery capital in the local area. With sustained investment and targeted refinement, the programme has the potential not only to improve individual outcomes, but also to strengthen the wider recovery ecology in which those outcomes are embedded.