Work as a rehabilitative tool for individuals with dual diagnoses

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Blankertz, Laura^; | McKay, Cathy | Robinson, Susan

Affiliations: Matrix Research Institute, 6008 Wayne Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA | Connections, Inc., 500 West 10th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: + 1 215 4388200; Fax: + 1 215 4388337; E-mail: workmri@aol.com.

Abstract: There has been little emphasis on vocational rehabilitation for individuals with dual diagnoses of mental illness and substance abuse among the health, substance abuse, and vocational rehabilitation systems of care. This article promotes work as an important rehabilitative tool which can result in both a stabilization of symptoms of mental illness and sobriety. A framework for client assessment and successfully integrating employment at different stages of the rehabilitation process as well as a case example is provided.

Keywords: Vocational rehabilitation, Work, Employment, Dual diagnoses, Mental illness and substance abuse, Recovery, Treatment, Rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-11203

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 113-123, 1998