title: Substance use disorders in gay/bisexual men with HIV and AIDS.
abstract: The authors conducted a longitudinal study of psychological adaptation to AIDS in subjects with and without lifetime and current substance use disorders (SUD), in a cohort of HIV+ gay/bisexual subjects. A sample of HIV+ gay/bisexual men (n = 183) and an HIV- comparison group (n = 84) were assessed for SUD, depression, and anxiety disorders. Among HIV+ men, combined lifetime (42%) but not current (11.5%) SUDs were more prevalent than in HIV- men (27% and 10%, respectively). HIV+ men with current SUD reported more depression, distress and diminished quality of life than HIV+ men with no SUD, but HIV-illness severity did not differ. HIV+ men in recovery did not differ from men with no lifetime history. Most HIV+ gay/bisexual men with SUD discontinue or reduce substance use before or subsequent to knowledge of their HIV infection, probably in an attempt to adopt a healthier lifestyle. However, for some HIV+ men, persistent substance abuse/dependence is accompanied by higher levels of distress and diminished quality of life, underscoring their need for treatment intervention.
authors.affiliation: HIV Clinical Research Program, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York, USA. sjferran@mail.med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrando
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goggin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sewell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rabkin
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology