Employment status and psychological symptomatology among drug users not currently in treatment

Previous research has investigated employment status and its correlates among drug users in treatment programs; however, few studies have addressed these variables among out-of-treatment drug users. Thus, little is known about variables that are associated with employment status in this population. Using two separate samples of drug users not currently in treatment, this study examined the relationship between employment status and psychological symptomatology, as measured by the Risk Behavior Assessment and Brief Symptom Inventory. Results revealed that unemployed drug users who are not looking for work report consistently higher levels of psychological symptomatology than do unemployed drug users looking for work or those employed. Although future research is needed to explore the causal nature of these findings, they have immediate implications for vocational rehabilitation programs or job training programs targeted at drug users.

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