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 whic h crack users had acquired jobs after 30 days in treatment; and (b) to examine if vocational behaviors assessed at admission and follow-up a ccounted for variations in recovery motivation, psychological function ing, and treatment completion. Multivariate analyses identified four p redictors (race, having a polysubstance problem, 12-step sponsor, and specific job skill) of job acquisition. Multivariate analyses also ind icated that past year employment was negatively related to recovery mo tivation but positively related to psychological functioning and treat ment completion, and that job acquisition was negatively related to on e measure of recovery motivation but positively related to psychologic al functioning. Future research should use multiple group designs to e xamine the effects associated with including a vocational component in treatment programs. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.