Stimulant use and HIV risk behavior: the influence of peer support group participation.
This study examines 12-step groups for recovery from methamphetamine and cocaine use that are attended by men having sex with men and the impact of attendance on HIV risk behavior. Participants in Crystal Meth Anonymous and other 12-step groups were interviewed up to 3 months since their last substance use. Sixty-two initial interviews, and ethnographic observations, were conducted. With entry into the program, mean reported sexual partners fell from around seven to one per month and the proportion having unprotected anal intercourse declined from 70% to 24%. HIV-positive men were more likely than HIV-negative men to report unprotected anal intercourse when using stimulants but less likely in recovery. Qualitative data suggest a transition from cocaine to methamphetamine in Chicago, and that reduction in partners is due to fear of relapsing in sexual situations rather than program teachings. These programs do however facilitate discussions around drug use and sexual issues.
Lyons
Thomas
T
Great Cities Institute (MC 107), University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. thlyons@uic.edu
Chandra
Gopika
G
Goldstein
Jerome
J
D000328:Adult; D002641:Chicago; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control
D008694:Methamphetamine