Peer support groups are the most utilized form of treatment for individuals recovering from substance abuse and substance dependence. This study examined an understudied peer support program (Self-Management and Recovery Training [SMART] Recovery), which is distinct from traditional 12-step models. Although treatment planning for substance use disorders is not the primary focus of vocational rehabilitation (VR), persons with disabilities are at increased risk for these disorders. Due to the bio-psycho-social nature of substance use disorders, VR counselors must consider ethical treatment recommendations for clients who demonstrate need for supplemental treatment. This descriptive-survey study investigated two samples of member and facilitator characteristics, motivations, and recovery goals among the SMART Recovery community. Implications for VR counselors making best practice recommendations for clients with substance use disorders are discussed.

The relationships among counselor personal states and work experiences (working alliance self-efficacy, burnout, flourishing, and caseload size) were investigated in a sample of rehabilitation counselors (N  137). Results from regression analyses revealed 4 burnout factors are significantly and uniquely contributing to counselor flourishing levels. The results from a second model revealed that caseload size and working alliance efficacy are impacting overall burnout levels. The findings indicate that burnout and flourishing are strongly related to each other and may have implications for client outcomes. Counselors with high flourishing levels may shield clients from the negative effects of job related burnout. Caseload size is also contributing to burnout levels. Implications and recommendations for counselor self-care and workplace practices are discussed.Burnout, which is often a work experience that carries over to personal lives, was selected on the premise that counselor capacity to perform essential job duties may be impaired if one is in a burnt-out state. Flourishing-a personal state of being-was selected as a factor of interest with regard to its potential ability to guard against burnout. And finally, caseload size-a work factor-was selected as a variable of interest because of the pressures associated with case closure and the potential for caseload size to impact the other factors. Moreover, researchers investigated the connection between personal well-being and work factors/performance. A review of the vocational rehabilitation (VR) process is also included to provide context for how these variables might impact typical job duties for rehabilitation counselors working for offices of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis that specific functional factors of marijuana use would predict past 30-day marijuana use in 425 college students more precisely than demographic variables alone. This hypothesis was confirmed. Functional factors of personal/physical enhancement as well as activity enhancement were significant predictors of 30-day marijuana use. Furthermore, this model explained over half of the variance of students' monthly marijuana use. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.