Randomized multi-site trial of the Job Seekers’ Workshop in patients with substance use disorders

• Published in: Drug and alcohol dependence 2012-01, Vol.120 (1), p.55-64
• Main Authors: Svikis, Dace S, Keyser-Marcus, Lori, Stitzer, Maxine, Rieckmann, Traci, Safford, Lauretta, Loeb, Peter, Allen, Tim, Luna-Anderson, Carol, Back, Sudie E, Cohen, Judith, DeBernardi, Michael A, Dillard, Bruce, Forcehimes, Alyssa, Jaffee, William, Killeen, Therese, Kolodner, Ken, Levy, Michael, Pallas, Diane, Perl, Harold I, Potter, Jennifer Sharpe, Provost, Scott, Reese, Karen, Sampson, Royce R, Sepulveda, Allison, Snead, Ned, Wong, Conrad J, Zweben, Joan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical standards; Clinical trials; Counseling; Drug abuse; Drug addiction; Education - methods; Employment; Employment - psychology; Female; Humans; Job searching; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Rehabilitation, Vocational - methods; Substance use disorders; Substance-Related Disorders - rehabilitation; Time Factors; Translational research; Treatment; Unemployment - psychology; Vocational rehabilitation; Workshops; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0376-8716; 1879-0046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.06.024

Abstract Background Unemployment is associated with negative outcomes both during and after drug abuse treatment. Interventions designed to increase rates of employment may also improve drug abuse treatment outcomes. The purpose of this multi-site clinical trial was to evaluate the Job Seekers’ Workshop (JSW), a three session, manualized program designed to train patients in the skills needed to find and secure a job. Method Study participants were recruited through the NIDA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) from six psychosocial counseling ( n = 327) and five methadone maintenance ( n = 301) drug treatment programs. Participants were randomly assigned to either standard care (program-specific services plus brochure with local employment resources) (SC) or standard care plus JSW. Three 4-h small group JSW sessions were offered weekly by trained JSW facilitators with ongoing fidelity monitoring. Results JSW and SC participants had similar 12- and 24-week results for the primary outcome measure (i.e., obtaining a new taxed job or enrollment in a training program). Specifically, one-fifth of participants at 12 weeks (20.1–24.3%) and nearly one-third at 24 weeks (31.4–31.9%) had positive outcomes, with “obtaining a new taxed job” accounting for the majority of cases. Conclusion JSW group participants did not have higher rates of employment/training than SC controls. Rates of job acquisition were modest for both groups, suggesting more intensive interventions may be needed. Alternate targets (e.g., enhancing patient motivation, training in job-specific skills) warrant further study as well.