An innovative job placement model for unemployed methadone patients: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: | Major, B. S., Hinton, M. F., Flint, A., Chalmers-Brown, A., McLoughlin, K., & Johnson, S |
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Year Published | 2007 |
Publication | Substance Use and Misuse |
Volume | 42 |
Number | 5 |
Pages | 811-828 |
Publisher | Informa Healthcare |
Background |
Methadone treatment patients, have had poorer employment outcomes than other substance users. Employment may enhance clinical outcomes for this group by reducing rates of relapse, criminality, and parole violation. Work is also associated with lower rates of drug use during treatment, as well as longer retention in treatment. Substance users have been eliminated and federal welfare reform legislation. Substance users in treatment must achieve work readiness in specific time frames. Traditional vocational services for substance users, including methadone treatment patients, have had limited positive results. Innovative vocational interventions or programs are needed to assist this group with employment. |
Purpose |
The hypothesis of this study was that patients assigned to the experimental Customized Employment Support model condition would have better employment outcomes |
Setting |
The study was implemented at two sites in Manhattan. One is a free-standing methadone clinic operated by Greenwich House, a nonprofit social services agency. The other methadone clinic is operated by Harlem Hospital but is located separately from the hospital. |
Sample |
The data was collected from May 2001 through April 2005. The efficacy sample for the analysis consisted of 168 patients who completed follow-up interviews. *(Note this is a follow up to the study by Staines, Blankertz, Magura et al 2004) The sample was 58% male, 75% minority group, average age 45 years, and in methadone treatment for an average of five years. |
Data Collection |
The study collected data on patient employment and behaviors from the following sources: personal interviews, vocational activities log and employment documentation. Employment measures drew on and integrated information from these sources. The major employment outcome was the attainment of a paid job. |
Control |
Participants were randomized into intervention and control groups. |
Findings |
The results supported the hypothesis for two measures of employment; i.e., the Customized Employment Support group was significantly more likely than the control group to obtain both any paid employment and informal paid employment. However, there were no significant differences for competitive employment or total earnings. |
Conclusions |
Vocational rehabilitation services for unemployed methadone patients can be improved by implementing a Customized Employment Support model. |
URL | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17613946 |
Disabilities | |
Populations | Male & Female |
Outcomes | Employment acquisition | Return to work |
NIDILRR Funded | No |
Research Design | Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) |
Peer Reviewed | Yes |