Career counseling as relapse prevention: A theoretical look at social cognitive career theory in supporting recovery from substance use

There is emerging evidence on the relationship between career outcomes and success in substance use recovery, in that individuals who are gainfully employed are more likely to have positive recovery outcomes, including reduced risk of relapse. Although career interventions for those in recovery exist, no intervention has focused on the intersection of career development and relapse prevention. This article explores a theoretical integration of relapse prevention and social cognitive career theory to increase the self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and coping of individuals in recovery, as well as implications and practical applications of this orientation for both career and substance use counselors.