Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is an evidence-based supported employment model for people with severe mental illnesses. IPS incorporates eight principles: eligibility based on consumer choice, focus on competitive employment, integration of mental health and employment services, attention to patient preferences, work incentives planning, rapid job search, systematic job development, and individualized job supports. IPS has been found to improve employment outcomes, leading to increased self-esteem and overall satisfaction with life. Noting the similarities between people with severe mental illnesses and people with opioid use disorders receiving community-based services, this study examined the effectiveness of IPS for people with moderate to severe opioid use disorders receiving community-based methadone maintenance therapy in an opioid treatment program.   

The IPS intervention was conducted in the opioid treatment program's clinic. The IPS specialist was notified by researchers when participants were assigned to IPS and waitlist participants became eligible for IPS. The same specialist provided all IPS participant services throughout the trial.  

The study focused on adults aged 18 years or older who met DSM-V criteria for moderate to severe opioid use disorder, who had received methadone treatment for at least 14 days at the treatment program prior to informed consent, who had never received supported employment services from the program, who were currently unemployed, who had the desire to work, who lacked pending incarceration or housing which disallowed external work, and who provided informed consent.