Substance use disorders in gay/bisexual men with HIV and AIDS

Stephen Ferrando, Kathy Goggin, Margaret Sewell, Susan Evans, Baruch Fishman, Judith Rabkin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

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 his tory. 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)51-60
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal on Addictions
Volume7
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

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