Data from 23 alcoholism halfway houses are analyzed to assess the relationship of organizational and programmatic variables to clients' average length of stay. Results indicate that programs which have more resources, a more complex administrative structure, better staffing, and stronger community ties report a shorter average length of stay than do those which lack these characteristics. The discussion focuses on differences in interpretation of a longer stay by an individual alcoholic versus a longer average stay by clients of a residential facility. Conclusions are that longitudinal research of a comparative nature is needed to identify the consequences of a longer versus shorter average stay for both long- and short-term residents of a given of facility.