Southwest Chemical Dependency

Southwest Chemical Dependency is a nonprofit behavioral health organization dedicated to helping individuals and families overcome substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and other challenges that impact their quality of life. We have been a stable presence in Livingston and Park County MT, since our founding in 1977, thousands of individuals and families have been supported by Southwest Chemical Dependency, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment and support services designed to promote healing, recovery, personal growth, and long-term wellness.

Our mission Statement: Our mission is to promote and maximize the health and general well-being of individuals, families and communities impacted by the use of alcohol and other drugs as well as co-occurring mental health issues.

Vision Statement: At Southwest Chemical Dependency we envision ourselves as state wide pioneers in the prevention and reduction of alcohol and other drug use including the treatment of co-occurring mental health issues.

How we began: In 1977, Dr. Gordon James "Doc" Allison and Floyd Marble, two recovering alcoholics, saw a great need in Livingston, MT, for the proper treatment of individuals suffering from addiction. They acted. They proposed a grant through the State of Montana, rented a small apartment above the Sax and Fryer in downtown Livingston, and founded the Problem Drinking Center. Over the next 12 months, they proved to the people of Livingston what an asset addiction treatment was to the community and were able to move the center into the City-County Complex, changing the name to the Park County Alcohol & Drug Referral Agency. After several successful years of treating individuals in Park County, we were approached by several other Montana counties to open satellite offices. This is when we changed our name to Southwest Chemical Dependency Program (SWCDP). We opened offices in Beaverhead, Madison, Meagher, and Broadwater counties, while keeping to our rural nature. Since our founding, thousands of individuals and their families' lives have been changed because two alcoholics saw a need for change and acted.

How we continue to take action: 

Throughout the years, Southwest Chemical Dependency has continued to advance the way we treat individuals, their families and the communities we serve,

• We have advocated against persistent incarceration of individuals suffering from addiction, while continuing to advocate for and grow rural Montana treatment initiatives.
• 1990-2000: SWCDP became advocates for the treatment of mental health disorders along with substance use disorders.
• 2003: We opened one of the first 3.1 Residential Treatment Facilities (Recovery Homes) in the state of Montana, providing safe, structured and monitored environment coupled with evidence-based treatment services.
• 2000-2005: SWCDP leads an effort for early prevention services throughout Park County and rural Montana.
• 2012: SWCDP starts advocating for peer supporters in SUD treatment.
• 2017: SWCDP employs some of the first certified peer supporters in Montana.
• 2019: SWCDP helps develop and becomes the provider for the 6th Judicial Park County Treatment Court, continuing our philosophy of treatment over incarceration.
• 2024: SWCDP develops and implements it's HYBRID telehealth treatment program, continuing to build access to services in RURAL Montana.
• 2025: Through a grant from the Behavioral Health for Future Generations Fund, SWCDP opens its new Recovery Homes in Livingston—The McCauley House for Men and The Allison House for Women. With the new homes, we now have 18 residential beds.
• 2026: SWCDP is awarded a grant from the Community Closet to buy a van and we implement our Driving Recovery Program, providing even more access to Park County Residents.

These are just some of SWCDP’s milestones. Throughout the years SWCDP, has been part of building and sustaining access to Substance Use disorder and Mental Health services statewide!

Our services:

Southwest Chemical Dependency offers a comprehensive continuum of care, including:

Assessment and Referral Services

• Substance Use Disorder Assessments with referral services
• Mental Health Assessments with referral services
• Gambling Assessments with referral services

Treatment Services

• Outpatient Treatment
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)
• Residential Treatment (Recovery Housing)
• Group Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Trauma Therapy
• Substance Use Intervention
• Crisis Intervention Services

Educational and Specialized Programs

• Anger Management 
• D.U.I. Education Course Assessment Course Treatment (A.C.T.)
• Minor in Possession (MIP) Course
• M.R.T
• Prevention Services

Recovery Support Services

• Nutrition Support Services (buying groceries for Park County Residents)
• Communication services (In 2025 SWCDP provided 34 cell phones and 162 phone cards to Park county residents) 
• Family Support Services
• Community Networking and Referrals
• Tenancy Support Services
• Case Management
• Peer Support Services
•  Narcan Training and Distribution