Unemployment is a risk factor for morbidity and early mortality, including for those in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD). Workplace PROSPER (Peer Integration and Other Services Promoting Employment in Recovery), a joint project of the University of Maryland Schools of Medicine and Social Work, seeks to reduce barriers to employing those receiving medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Building on research suggesting that employment can increase retention in addiction treatment, the program brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to understand why those in recovery may not be employed. Factors investigated include an individual's education, skill set, access to housing and transportation, legal issues, co-morbid conditions, and disabilities. With an emphasis on services provided by peers in recovery, the project aims to identity workplace interventions to address the following goals:

• improve workplace safety for those in recovery
• prevent opioid overdoses
• increase access to MOUD
• reduce stigma in the workplace against employees recovering from OUD

The project has analyzed survey and focus group data on patients receiving MOUD at University of Maryland-affiliated clinics. In future phases, it will use findings to design and test interventions that support employment of those in recovery, then encourage adoption of those interventions that prove most successful. Background on barriers to employment of those in recovery is available here and here.