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Vocational rehabilitation counseling is a concept that is not always talked about when it comes to substance abuse treatment; most of the time vocational rehabilitation is not in the plans of treatment although it is an important concept. SAMSHA states, “Vocational rehabilitation counseling focuses on the process of improving an individual’s functioning in primary life areas based on the person’s values, interests, and goals” (Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services, 2014). Vocational counseling is a concept that is not seen as being important because drug and alcohol treatment, in general, is not seen as being necessary. A lot of benefits are possible from vocational counseling such as learning a skill or trade while in treatment that could be used during employment. The following paper will address the career needs of an individual with substance abuse and the following subtopics: reasons for career services, considerations, availability of services, and interventions.
Introduction
The compulsive excessive use of alcohol and drugs is known as substance abuse disorder (What Is Substance Abuse Treatment, 2014). This topic is of interest to me mainly from my current field placement. Interning at a drug and alcohol treatment facility allows you to have a firsthand look into the lives of those impacted by substance abuse. Also, this topic is of interest to me because of my father suffering from alcoholism. I was able to see a firsthand look into how substance abuse disorder could change an individual’s outlook on employment. Most of the time employment is an important concept in an individual’s life, but for an individual who suffers from substance abuse employment might not be important. Substance abuse could affect employment in one way or another.
Reason for Career Services
Employment has always been seen as something positive whenever it comes to recovery. When an individual has employment, they can establish an honest source of income, have controlled use of time, and increase their self-confidence. With these factors in play, criminal activity and the use of substances may reduce (Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services, 2014). Also, according to several studies that were completed, individuals with substance abuse are more likely to continue treatment if employed.
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A study was completed by Elizabeth Ginexi and other individuals looking at individuals who were in substance abuse treatment work patterns. Participants in this study were individuals who originally enrolled in the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment located in Chicago. Interviews were conducted at 6 months, 24 months, and 36 months after the treatment (Ginexi et al, 2003). For the results, individuals who continually used drugs, stayed in treatment, or had some psychological problems stayed out of employment (Ginexi, et al, 2003). It is extremely important for individuals who endured substance abuse to seek career services to have a smoother transition between treatment and employment.
Considerations
They say that the relationship between the misuse of substances and employment is multifaceted, most of the time it is hard to understand. When it comes to career counselors and people with addiction, career counselors see these individuals as individuals who are not in control (Graham, 2006). For the career counselor to provide effective counseling to individuals who are in substance abuse recovery, career counselors need to be aware of the diverse viewpoints of substance abuse. One thing that career counselors should take into consideration is biases (Graham, 2006). Personal biases could hinder the counselor’s ability to effectively counsel an individual with substance abuse. Career counselors could have a perspective on addiction based on what they have seen in their personal life or even what they have seen on TV. Biases could lead to fear and anxiety when wanting to counsel someone with substance abuse and the counselor should figure out where these feelings are coming from (Graham, 2006).
Other than the career counselor it is important to take into consideration the individual in recovery. Employment for both men and women in recovery is important for both genders, however, it is shown to be a little bit more beneficial for women. A study was done by Joyce Sinakhone and other individuals, examining characteristics within employment and the experiences that women experience who has a history of substance abuse. For this study to be completed, interviews via telephone were collected to sober living homes through 20 urban areas (Sinakhone et al, 2017).
After collecting the phone calls, Sinakhone and the others learned that for women in substance abuse recovery employment is significant. Not only is employment significant for financial assistance, but employment is important for life. Without employment, a lack of structure could lead to relapse (Sinakhone et al, 2017). Women have to take in a lot of considerations when it comes to employment and even treatment. For example, if a woman has children, both employment and treatment, might not be an easy thing to get to if childcare is of need. This study touched upon women being incarcerated, being single mothers, and being discriminated (Sinakhone et al, 2017).
Availability of Career Services
Although career services are important for individuals with substance abuse to take advantage of, career services are not always readily available and are not a part of the treatment process (Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services, 2014). There is essentially a lack of vocational programs in treatment programs. There is a lack of vocational programs because of the shortage of time, treatment philosophy, and essentially just not being cost-efficient (Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services, 2014). Also, there is essentially a lack of vocational programs because there is a lack of drug and alcohol treatment programs in general, especially in prisons. Approximately only 5% of the individuals who are in prison, received the drug and alcohol treatment that they needed (Lurigio,2000). If individuals are not able to get the basic drug and alcohol treatment needed, how can we expect these individuals to receive vocational services as well?
Strategies and Interventions
One thing to consider when inventing strategies and interventions for individuals with substance abuse is how the individual who is in recovery labels themselves. Most individuals in recovery see themselves only as an addict. Both the counselor and the individual need to explore the addict label. According to Graham, “Some clients report experiencing profound relief when they realize there are other ways of approaching recovery that does not require the need to ‘admit powerlessness’ and adopt a predominantly spiritual focus to recovery” (Graham, 2006).
By focusing on the addict label, the client will then be able to explore morals, goals, and doubts. Also, in terms of strategies, there are strategies for overcoming barriers for individuals who were once active in their addiction. One helpful strategy is treatment centers offering GED classes. With offering GED classes, clients will feel as if education is just as equally important as treatment (Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services, 2014). Allowing clients to have a chance of earning their GED, opens up more possibilities of employment considering that most employers require a GED or high school diploma.
Another strategy or intervention that could be applicable is treatment programs that could incorporate some sort of job skills training. More specifically, allowing clients to perform jobs at the treatment center. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, “When clients are expected to perform (and assisted in performing) important job functions at the treatment site, they (1) learn time management, problem-solving, and many of the unwritten rules of employment, such as not being distracted by friends; (2) are allowed the gradual development of work skills within a known, safe environment; and (3) can try different types of jobs” (Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services, 2014). Numerous benefits come from allowing clients to perform job functions. Not only is it beneficial in terms of learning many different skills, but this is also beneficial for the simple fact that some clients may have never been employed without being under the influence. Going from being employed actively in your addiction to being employed not being active is a big change; more often than not most individuals need help with the adjustment.
One last strategy that could be useful is a confidence workshop. More often than not, many individuals who are active in recovery are not ready to return to work, emotionally. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, “Peer-run or peer-cofacilitated workshops based on stages of change and motivational interviewing strategies can be effective in increasing clients’ readiness and help them to feel that they have some control over their vocational choice” (Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services, 2014). A workshop that focuses on the empowerment and the process of becoming stronger in terms of returning to work could be valuable. Individuals who are in recovery, sometimes feel as though they have lost control when they were active in addiction and struggle with regaining it back.
Summary/Conclusions
In closing, vocational needs and support is a concept that is not always seen as being important in the treatment process of those in recovery for substance abuse. Employment has been seen as an important step towards recovery because it allows individuals in substance abuse recovery to have a new normal: a legal source of income, learning time management skills, and most important have controlled use of time. Many individuals in recovery need a sense of structure or else they will relapse. Employment is a way that allows them to have a structure with other benefits. However, employment has not always been easy when it comes to individuals active in addiction or active in recovery. Vocational services are such an important concept even though more times than not they are not seen as an important part of the recovery programs. However, incorporating GED class, having job skills on-site and many other interventions could allow individuals to move in the right direction.
References
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 38. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12‐4216. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2014.
- Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4126. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2004
- Ginexi, E. M., Foss, M. A., & Scott, C. K. (2003). Transitions from Treatment to Work: Employment Patterns Following Publicly Funded Substance Abuse Treatment. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES, 2, 497
- Graham, M. D. (2006). Addiction, the Addict, and Career: Considerations for the Employment Counselor. Journal of Employment Counseling, 43(4), 168.
- Lurigio, A. J. (2000). Drug Treatment Availability and Effectiveness: Studies of the General and Criminal Justice Populations. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 27(4), 495–528.
- Sinakhone, J.K., Hunter, B.A., & Jason, L.A. (2017). Good job, bad job: The employment experiences of women in recovery from substance abuse. Work, 57(2), 289-295.
