Employment Among Chronic Drug Users at Baseline and 6-Month Follow-Up

Abstract

Most studies of unemployment among chronic drug users (CDUs) are drug-user treatment–based and there is little information on employment/unemployment among CDUs not in treatment. Between June 2003 and September 2004, 492 CDUs in Miami–Dade, Florida, were administered a quantitative survey at baseline and 6 months later; employment status was measured. Descriptive statistics showed that only 15% were employed at both periods, an equal percentage becoming employed and unemployed at 6 months. The majority of CDUs were unemployed at both time periods. Men were more likely than women to exhibit consistent employment over the two time periods. The study's limitations are noted and future research is suggested. This study was IRB-approved and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Keywords:

• chronic drug users (CDUs)
• employment
• treatment efficacy
• poly-drug use

Notes

*Treatment can be briefly and usefully defined as a planned, goal-directed change process, which is bounded (culture, place, time, etc.) and can be categorized into professional-based, tradition-based, mutual help–based (AA, NA, etc.) and self-help (“natural recovery”) models. There are no unique models or techniques used with substance users—of whatever types—that aren't also used with non-substance users. Editor's note.

^†The journal's style utilizes the category substance abuse as a diagnostic category. Substances are used or misused; living organisms are and can be abused. Editor's note.