Employment among Opioid Addicts during a Four Year follow-up after Drug Abuse Treatment

Abstract

Follow-up interview data for 1,155 opioid addicts, based on a 4-year period after leaving community-based drug abuse treatment programs, showed that levels of employment and productive activities (a composite measure reflecting employment, school, and homemaking) were generally stable over time. Almost half of the males and females were involved in some type of productive activities in all 12 months of each year examined, and only about one-fourth reported no productive activities at all each year. As expected, males reported higher rates of employment and females were higher in homemaking activities. Employment was associated with lower opioid drug use and criminal involvement during the follow-up period, suggesting the need for continued support and development of community training and employment placement programs as part of a comprehensive treatment system for drug abusers.

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