Obstacles to the Utilization of Vocational Services: An Analysis of the Literature

Abstract

While employment has been linked to positive clinical outcomes with drug abusers, research suggests that many treatment programs do not emphasize vocational services and underutilize vocational resources. This article summarizes potential client-, program-, and societal-level obstacles to vocational rehabilitation service delivery identified in past studies with both substance abusers and other related client groups. Obstacles identified for related groups are integrated with issues relevant to drug treatment clients. This analysis is based on literature published over the last 20 years.

*All conclusions indicated in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcotic and Drug Research, Inc., or of the New York State Division of Substance Abuse Services.