The Minnesota Model of Chemical Dependency Treatment, which evolved from a combination of the grassroots Alcoholics Anonymous movement and the State Mental Health Services in the 1960s has made Minnesota an international leader in chemical dependency treatment efforts. Northeastern Minnesota has shared this reputation with the state. In spite of the profound growth and evolution which has touched mainstream Minnesotans through community, schools, corporations, churches, and health care, the chemical dependency services have experienced declining utilization over the past decade. Networking and finance were considered factors present in this decline. To help program executives make current and projected decisions in regard to chemical dependency services offered in northeastern Minnesota, a study was conducted which investigated the declining use of chemical dependency treatment agencies in northeastern Minnesota. Key referents (N=74) in the fields of medicine, mental health, social services, chemical dependency, religion, and employee assistance were interviewed using an interview guide with open-ended questions. The respondents' answers to eight questions concerning 10-year comparative impressions of the chemical dependency field were analyzed. A theoretical framework was identified illustrating the institutionalization process of chemical dependency services into the health care system of northeastern Minnesota. This theoretical framework has generated many hypotheses for future research in the region, state, and elsewhere. (NB)