Work-Related Conversational Skills Training for People with Substance Use Disorders

There are high rates of unemployment among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and unemployment can increase the risk of relapse. Additionally, SUD relapse can increase the chance of job loss. However, there is a dearth of research related to the feasibility and acceptability of employment counseling strategies for individuals with SUDs.

This study is a secondary sub-group analysis of data attained from a pre-post trial (no control group) of the Conversing with Others intervention, a direct skills teaching (DST) approach designed to enhance confidence with workplace conversational skills. The brief, small-group intervention was administered to 68 participants with SUDs among which 43 (63.2%) had dual diagnoses in community agency settings.

From pre- to post-intervention, participants reported greater confidence with and increased knowledge of having a conversation with others in the workplace. Furthermore, participants reported high levels of overall satisfaction with the quality of the intervention.

Securing employment can positively impact the lives of people with SUDs and foster recovery. Brief, targeted soft skills training for enhancing workplace conversational confidence and knowledge may be feasible and acceptable to implement among individuals with SUDs and dual diagnoses in community settings. Findings also have implications for mental health practitioners, multidisciplinary practice, policy makers, and researchers.