Mission Statement and Philosophy

The mission of the Division of Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) is to alleviate the problems associated with use of alcohol and other drugs. The Division provides appropriate and effective services to encourage behaviors and environments that promote psychological and physical health.

The Division of Alcohol and Other Drug Services is committed to respond to the problems related to addiction as identified in Sonoma County. This commitment represents an investment of public funds to reduce the personal and family suffering, social damage, and economic costs related to addiction and inappropriate use of alcoholic beverages.

Programs are based upon a philosophy of self-help, through expanded knowledge of self and alternatives available to the individual, the family, and the community. Programs are designed to meet the needs of anyone seeking help for drug addiction, and/or alcoholism at any stage of recovery. Services are also available for individuals who have been affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use. The programs emphasize a supportive environment and better understanding of the problems of addiction and recovery—from addiction’s effects on the individual, through its impact upon the workplace, the family, and the community.

The County programs do not exclusively advocate any one specific recovery approach over another. Therefore, AODS’s efforts are dedicated to the most economic provision of the maximum amount of quality services. The primary concern of each program is that the most appropriate assistance be made available to the addict, the family, and the community.