Changes in locus-of-control attitudes about drug misuse in a self-help group in a methadone maintenance clinic.

Clients of a methadone-maintenance clinic in Brooklyn, New York participating in a clinically-guided self-help (CGSH) program plus standard treatment (methadone maintenance plus individual counseling) demonstrated statistically significant changes in locus-of-control beliefs, from external to internal causation, about personal responsibility for drug misuse. Members of two control groups--one participating in a didactic lecture program plus standard treatment and the other receiving only standard treatment--failed to demonstrate similar changes. This increase in internal locus of control in the CGSH group suggests the potential efficacy of CGSH as a relapse-prevention therapeutic technique.

Medical disorders in a cohort of New York city drug abusers: much more than HIV disease.

We evaluated the medical histories, drug abuse patterns, sexual behaviors, serological studies for syphilis and hepatitis B infection and other laboratory studies in 1780 patients enrolled in New York City drug treatment clinics in 1987. HIV serology was available for 168 patients. Nearly seventy-five percent had at least one medical disorder and 57% one abnormal laboratory parameter.

Demographic, medical history and sexual correlates of HIV seropositive methadone maintained women.

Beginning in January 1989, consecutive female admissions to the ARTC MMTP Clinics in NYC were interviewed about their medical, drug, sexual and social experiences during 6 distinct historical years. Bloods were drawn and each sample tested for HIV via ELISA and Western Blot analysis. The data for 256 females was analyzed.

Sexual behaviors and HIV infection in intravenous drug users in New York City.

Heterosexual transmission of HIV infection is closely linked with intravenous drug use. This study investigated the sexual behaviors of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) in New York City. In 1986, 284 IVDUs were recruited from newly enrolled patients in methadone treatment clinics.