title: Nonmedical use of prescription drugs and HIV risk behavior in gay and bisexual men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous research has demonstrated associations between substance use and sexual risk behavior in men who have sex with men (MSM). Recent trends in substance use show increasing use of prescription medications (e.g., Vicodin) without a physician's prescription, yet associations between the nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) and HIV risk behavior have not been well examined in MSM.
  
  
  METHODS
  MSM attending a gay pride festival completed a self-report measure assessing NMUPD, motivations for use, use of traditional recreational drugs, and HIV risk behavior.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than one-third of the sample (38%) reported lifetime NMUPD and 17% reported NMUPD in the previous 3 months. The most common class of medications used was prescription analgesics. Men reporting NMUPD also reported higher rates of the use of marijuana, poppers, ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, GHB, ketamine, heroin, and rohypnol, and had significantly higher rates of HIV risk behaviors, including more sexual partners and more unprotected sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant minority of MSM are using prescription medications without a doctor's consent. Men who do so are risking negative consequences of such use, including the potential for addiction, potentially dangerous interactions between prescription and recreational drugs, and greater risk for contracting HIV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA. ebenotsch@VCU.edu
authors.forename: Eric G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Benotsch
authors.forename: Aaron M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koester
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cejka
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luckman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001727:Bisexuality; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D055553:Prescription Drugs