Substance use disorders in gay/bisexual men with HIV and AIDS. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

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.

publication date

  • January 1, 1998

Research

keywords

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
  • Bisexuality
  • HIV Seropositivity
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Substance-Related Disorders

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0031881265

PubMed ID

  • 9522007

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 7

issue

  • 1