The impact of substance user treatment participation on legal employment and income among probationers and parolees.

Employment is essential for recovery. But treatment could conflict with work schedules, and employment gains could be short lived. This study examined how employment and income varied during and after treatment, what aspects of treatment impacted on employment, and whether treatment improved income. Baseline and follow-up data were analyzed for 760 probationers and parolees in 11 US cities that participated in the 1992-1995 Drug Abuse Treatment Outcomes Study. Results showed that only residential/inpatient treatment was associated, temporarily, with employment. Retention, compliance, and self-efficacy were correlated to posttreatment employment. However, treatment had no impact on income, which was determined by education and work history.