Participants are tested upon arrival to determine if the individual is entering the program free of any illegal substances. Third Tradition operates a drug-free facility and focuses on continuous sobriety. At entry each participant is given a urine analysis drug test, if the test is positive, it is noted and reported on the intake contact log. All positive participants are tested again within 3-7 days, depending on the substances found during the initial screening test.

Many participants will have alcohol or drug histories besides other behavioral health challenges and a drug-free environment will help participants overcome their addiction(s) and provide a foundation from which to mature. Regular participant random drug testing is conducted and coordinated by the Director and/or Case Manager. Drug testing allows the program to better manage participants and reduce the chances of participant relapse.

In addition, Third Tradition provides in-house life skills as part of the SLE learning environment.

Third Tradition realizes that there are a variety of behaviors that must be managed such as disrespect for authority, hyperactivity and inattention, lack of self-control, and sometimes aggression.

The SLE environment focuses on cooperation and how mood (learned negative behavior) can negatively impact social skills, coping, and cause conflict. Third Tradition provides daily living skills as a pragmatic approach to learning to get along. Anger management classes are also available for participants who can benefit from such coursework. The program provides daily work activities that are assigned and monitored for each participant to better grow positive behavior change.