Drug Abuse Treatment as HIV Prevention: Changes in Social Drug Use Patterns Might Also Reduce Risk

• NCJ Number: 175635
• Journal: Journal of Addictive Diseases Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: 1998 Pages: 9-18
• Author(s): M Y Iguchi
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): R01DA06096; DA04104; T32 DA07209
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines the relationship of drug abuse treatment to HIV prevention.

Abstract

Fifty-one individuals (37 male and 14 female) reported on the social and behavioral circumstances related to their opiate drug use prior to and during a 90-day methadone detoxification treatment. Data were collected by means of a weekly structured interview. Respondents were asked about each occasion of opiate use in the previous week with respect to time, source, cost, social circumstance, etc. Monitored urine samples were tested x3/week to verify verbal reports. The study demonstrated beneficial aspects of the detoxification treatment by showing dramatic decreases in rates and amounts of opiate drug use during treatment. Of perhaps greater significance, large-scale changes were also noted in the frequency of use with others. This decline in use with others was most dramatic with respect to strangers and acquaintances. The article discusses implications of these observations for HIV transmission. Table, figures, references