Recent meta-analyses of the alcohol treatment outcome literature have pointed to a number of therapeutic modalities that consistently surface as generally more effective than others. Yet the gap between science and practice remains largely unaffected by these findings. Among the many possible reasons for this gap, a critical one is the difficulty of synthesizing research findings and methodically adapting them for private or clinic practice. This paper introduces the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA), one of the well-supported treatment modalities. CRA is a cost-effective behavioral and social-learning-based treatment protocol. Its innovative, menu-driven approach to substance abuse also integrates several other cost-effective treatments to make a comprehensive package for the clinician. An overview of CRA is provided with the objective of helping the clinician increase his or her cost-effectiveness with alcohol abusing and dependent clients.