Drug Alcohol Depend. 2005 Feb 14;77(2):129-38.

Predictors of substance use frequency and reductions in seriousness of use among persons living with HIV.

Lightfoot M¹, Rogers T, Goldstein R, Rotheram-Borus MJ, May S, Kirshenbaum S, Weinhardt L, Zadoretzky C, Kittel L, Johnson M, Gore-Felton C, Morin SF.

Author information

1: Center for Community Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA. mal@ucla.edu

Abstract

AIMS:

To examine predictors of the current level of substance use and reductions in seriousness of substance use among adults living with HIV.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING:

Four major metropolitan areas of the United States.

PARTICIPANTS:

Three thousand eight hundred six adults living with HIV.

MEASUREMENT:

Self-reported substance use, depression, and quality of life from audio computer assisted self-interviewing and computer assisted personal interviewing structured assessments.

FINDINGS:

Recent substance use of persons living with HIV was classified as frequent (40%), occasional (32%), or abstinent (28%). Participants using drugs at a frequent level identified as heterosexual, had public insurance, and had higher levels of depression. Participants who reduced from a lifetime high seriousness in substance use were female, older, and knew their HIV status for a longer period of time.

CONCLUSIONS:

Screening and identification of substance use should be included in all treatment settings and community-based organizations serving adults living with HIV.