The role of vocational behaviors preceding and during 12-step oriented treatment

This study examined the role of vocational behaviors in the treatment of 80 crack users. The study had two general aims: (a) to predict which crack users had acquired jobs after 30 days in treatment; and (b) to examine if vocational behaviors assessed at admission and follow-up accounted for variations in recovery motivation, psychological functioning, and treatment completion. Multivariate analyses identified four predictors (race, having a polysubstance problem, 12-step sponsor, and specific job skill) of job acquisition. Multivariate analyses also indicated that past year employment was negatively related to recovery motivation but positively related to psychological functioning and treatment completion, and that job acquisition was negatively related to one measure of recovery motivation but positively related to psychological functioning. Future research should use multiple group designs to examine the effects associated with including a vocational component in treatment programs.