Barriers to employment are a considerable problem for individuals recovering from an opioid use disorder (OUD). Being unemployed while receiving OUD treatment is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

Apply the biopsychosocial model to examine employment status and the association of barriers to employment among a sample of adults receiving Methadone for OUD.

Administrative data from an east coast midsized urban medication-assisted treatment provider in the United States were obtained from a state database. Univariate analyses were used to describe the sample, and bivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between employment status and select variables. A logistic regression model was used to predict employment status.

Sample characteristics include 80.8% unemployed, 63.1% male, 49.6% White, and 65.3% never married. Employment status was significantly associated with past 30-day depression/sadness (χ2(1)=11.361, P<0.01), past 30-day anxiety/tension (χ2(1)=8.799, P<0.01), receiving financial support (χ2(1)=6.550, P<0.05), having a driver’s license (χ2(1)=12.984, P<0.001) and having a vehicle (χ2(1)=43.208, P<0.001). The logistic regression model found those with a vehicle were less likely to be unemployed (odds ratio=0.248, P<0.01), while those awaiting a trial/charge were more likely to be unemployed (odds ratio=9.253, P<0.001).

This study identified potential barriers (ie, psychological, transportation, criminal justice system involvement) from a biopsychosocial framework, associated with employment status among a sample of individuals in Methadone treatment. Identifying employment barriers in this population will help with treatment based clinical interventions.