Learning from Disappointing Outcomes: An Evaluation of Prevocational Interventions for Methadone Maintenance Patients

Abstract

To increase rates of employment and improve overall rehabilitation in methadone maintenance treatment, three prevocational trainings, Vocational Problem Solving, Job Seekers Workshop, and the two combined, were evaluated as adjunctive services. Between March 1995 and April 1998, subjects in treatment were interviewed at baseline, randomly assigned to one of the trainings, and followed up at 6 and 12 months postbaseline. None of the three models produced significantly greater employment or better overall rehabilitation. Experience from the study suggests that closer integration of prevocational training with treatment, individualizing efforts to meet training needs, and providing support during job-finding and early job-holding might improve program effectiveness.

Academic skills of chronically unemployed drug-addicted adults

“…These include limited work skills and experience; lack of job search and interviewing skills; and employers’ reluctance to hire persons with drug addiction and criminal histories (Atkinson, Lee, Dayton-Shotts, & French, 2001; Lidz, Sorrentino, Robinson, & Bunce, 2004; Meara, 2006; Sigurdsson, Ring, O'Reilly, & Silverman, 2012; Wong & Silverman, 2007; Zanis, Coviello, Alterman, & Appling, 2001). Any successful employment intervention will necessarily have to tackle the barriers to employment that a jobseeker encounters.…”

Twelve-month employment intervention outcomes for drug-involved offenders

“…For example, Hall et al (17) conducted an employment workshop (Job Seeker's Workshop) for parolees and probationers with a history of drug use and concluded that the intervention significantly increased levels of employment. Other studies have found that employment intervention programs for substance abuse treatment clients have subtle, but positive, changes at treatment completion, including increases in the number of days paid for work (18) and in income (19). McIntosh et al (9) concluded that clients who received employmentrelated help along with traditional treatment were more likely to obtain paid employment.…”

Hopping on the methadone bus

“…For example,Magura et al (2004),Lidz et al (2004), orStaines et al (2005) focus on these effects.5 Brewster (2001) orHolloway et al (2006) for example study whether drug users that were part of such a methadone maintenance program are less likely to engage in criminal activity.…”