In this first study of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for adults in treatment for alcohol and drug dependence, IPS helped more participants achieve employment in the open job market than standard employment support. There was evidence that IPS was effective in helping people with alcohol dependence and ‘other drug’ dependence find a job, but not for people with opioid dependence. Finding work in the 18 months of the study follow-up was the study’s primary outcome measure.

There was no evidence that IPS was associated with the secondary outcome measures, such as:

• a reduction in days a participant took to find their first job
• whether participants gained 2 or more jobs
• an increase in total days employed
• the length of longest job held
• working in a single job for at least 13 weeks

There was also no evidence that IPS was associated with:

• reduced alcohol consumption
• a change in use of opioids, cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines
• improved rates of remission from dependence
• successful completion of treatment

IPS was cost-effective for improving quality of life for people with alcohol and ‘other drug’ dependence, but not for those with opioid dependence. There was evidence that IPS was cost-effective at improving the number of days a person worked.