SUMMARY
This article will present the various strategies used to develop a support group program which engages inner-city clients who are in early recovery from chemical dependence and infected with HIV. The article will also emphasize how assessing and possessing an in-depth understanding of the needs of clients is a prerequisite to planning and conducting successful group treatment. This article also suggests that maintaining abstinence in recovery from chemical dependency and preventing relapse are critical to the management of HIV infection as a chronic illness. This group model is an outgrowth of ongoing work at Gouverneur Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Ryan White Mental Health Linkage Program in New York City.