Phoenix Programs, Inc. provides a continuum of substance abuse treatment services to rural populations in Missouri. Previous studies have indicated that the Modified Therapeutic Community (MTC) approach can improve the effectiveness of outpatient treatment. In 2009, Phoenix Programs integrated the MTC philosophy and approach, which uses the peer community as an agent of healing, with a partial-day outpatient substance abuse treatment program. Two treatment groups were compared retrospectively; a 2008 standard partial-day treatment (S-PDT) cohort (n=30) that enrolled in the outpatient program prior to its integration with the MTC approach, and a 2009 treatment cohort (n=30) that received integrated MTC outpatient services (MTC-PDT) . The study examined the number of days participants attended, the number of persons who attended outpatient groups, and the number who completed the program. Compared to the 2008 S‑PDT cohort, the average number of days that participants attended the MTC-PTD (2009 cohort) more than doubled, from 5.73 days in 2008 to 12.03 days in 2009. The average number of persons attending outpatient groups increased from 6.6 participants in 2008 (S-PDT) to 11.18 in 2009 (MTC-PDT), and the number of completers nearly tripled, from 6 (20%) in 2008 to 17 (56.67%) in 2009. The results indicate that integrating the MTC approach with partial-day outpatient treatment improved attendance, retention, and completion, increasing the potential for long-term individual success. These results are important for providers of outpatient substance abuse treatment in rural areas where the clients are difficult to engage and retain in treatment.