Substance use disorders in gay/bisexual men with HIV and AIDS.
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.
Ferrando
S
S
HIV Clinical Research Program, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York, USA. sjferran@mail.med.cornell.edu
Goggin
K
K
Sewell
M
M
Evans
S
S
Fishman
B
B
Rabkin
J
J
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