SAMPLING MENUS FROM THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITIES IN NEW YORK REVEALS DIETS HIGH IN SUGAR, STARCH, AND PROCESSED FOODS, AND LOW IN FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND PROTEIN. THESE DIETS REFLECT EATING HABITS COMMON TO OUR SOCIETY. DRUG ADDICTS, COMING FROM SOCIETY'S MAINSTREAM, ALSO REFLECT COMMUNITY EATING HABITS. HOWEVER, THEIR DIETS ARE MADE WORSE BY THEIR PREOCCUPATION WITH DRUGS. FURTHER, STUDIES SHOW THAT ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION ARE MAJOR CAUSES OF MALNUTRITION AMONG PEOPLE HAVING ADEQUATE FOOD AVAILABLE. NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES CAN PRODUCE TENSION AND VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH ONLY IMPEDE DRUG REHABILITATION. IN ADDITION, ADDICTION TO COFFEE, ALCOHOL, AND OTHER SUBSTANCES MAY BE CONNECTED WITH AN EARLY ADDICTION TO SUGAR, CAUSING LOW BLOOD SUGAR THROUGH OVERPRODUCTION OF INSULIN. THUS, DRUGS TREATMENT DIETS WITH THEIR OVERABUNDANCE OF SWEETS, STARCHES, AND COFFEE MAY BE LEADING ADDICTS TO ALCOHOLISM. MOREOVER, RESEARCH LINKS LARGE AMOUNTS OF ADDITIVES AND PRESERVATIVES, COMMON IN DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM FOODS, TO MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS; OVERCOOKING FURTHER ROBS PATIENTS OF NUTRIENTS. DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS SHOULD CONSIDER THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD NUTRITION, HIRE DIETICIANS, RESPECT THE SUGAR-ADDICTION LINK, AND REALIZE THAT EATING HABITS FORMED OVER A LIFETIME ARE DIFFICULT TO CHANGE. DIET RECOMMENDATIONS AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (PAP)