Work as a rehabilitative tool for individuals with dual diagnoses

Abstract

There has been little emphasis on vocational rehabilitation for individuals with dual diagnoses of mental illness and substance abuse among the health, substance abuse, and vocational rehabilitation systems of care. This article promotes work as an important rehabilitative tool which can result in both a stabilization of symptoms of mental illness and sobriety. A framework for client assessment and successfully integrating employment at different stages of the rehabilitation process as well as a case example is provided.