An integrated drug counseling and employment intervention for methadone clients

Authors: Crewe, N. M.
Year Published 2009
Publication Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Volume 41
Number 2
Pages 189-197
Publisher Routledge-Taylor & Francis
Background

Many studies have shown that gaining employment has a positive impact on drug treatment outcomes, including a reduction in drug use, crimes and other destructive behaviors.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop a manual-based intervention that integrated drug counseling and employment services, train methadone counselors in the intervention and conduct a pilot study to evaluate the intervention.

Setting

The setting was a Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program (MMTP).

Sample

The study sample included 23 methadone clients randomly assigned to one of 2 treatment groups.

Data Collection

Assessments were completed at baseline and at the six-month follow up.

Control

The comparison was ICPS drug counseling.

Findings

There was no significant difference between the two groups in employment outcomes, HIV risk behaviors and drug use.

Conclusions

Recruitment/retention for the study was difficult, resulting is a small sample size. Even so, the intervention did improve employment outcomes for both groups and, as a result, may be better than standard methadone counseling.

URL http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19705681
Disabilities
Populations Male & Female
Outcomes Employment acquisition | Wages
NIDILRR Funded No
Research Design Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Peer Reviewed Yes