For over forty-five years, Spectrum has been on the forefront of substance abuse and mental health treatment, helping thousands of individuals overcome addiction to lead satisfying and productive lives. Originally known as "Spectrum House,"​ Spectrum was responsible for establishing one of the first therapeutic communities in the country for the treatment of drug abuse. Since the company's founding in 1969, Spectrum has grown considerably, broadening its array of services, expanding to other states, and developing specialized services to meet the unique needs of high-risk populations, including offender addicts and troubled youth. Today, Spectrum is a national leader in substance abuse and mental health treatment, serving 40,000 individuals each year through more than 100 institutional and community-based programs, from Maine to Washington State. Many of Spectrum's programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Through the operation of these programs, Spectrum has demonstrated its effectiveness in developing strong partnerships with public sector purchasers. Recognizing the unique management approach needed to support a national organization, Spectrum's corporate infrastructure provides specialized expertise in the areas of clinical design, human resources, professional development, risk management, compliance and quality improvement.