Methadone maintenance programs (MMP) have the potential to play an important role in reducing HIV risk, given the appropriate type and level of ancillary treatments. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a 12-session harm reduction group intervention for injection drug users, based upon the Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills model of behavior change, that focused on reducing both drug and sex risk. Two hundred and twenty patients entering an MMP were randomized to receive either standard care (SC)-2 hours of counseling per month and a single-session risk reduction intervention-or SC plus the harm reduction group (HRG). Results showed that during treatment, patients receiving HRG were more likely to be abstinent from cocaine and to report fewer unsafe sexual practices. Post-treatment, HRG patients scored higher on a sexual risk quiz and reported increased self-efficacy in high risk sexual situations. Enhancing methadone maintenance with a weekly harm reduction group treatment was somewhat more expensive but can bring about positive changes in behaviors and attitudes that are associated with the transmission of HIV.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0740-5472(03)00159-4 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Opioid-related harms and experiences of care among people in justice settings in New South Wales, Australia: evidence from the National Ambulance Surveillance System.
Harm Reduct J
January 2025
Turning Point, Eastern Health, Richmond, VIC, Australia.
Background: People in justice settings experience higher rates of psychiatric morbidity, including alcohol and drug use disorders, compared with the general population. However, our understanding of opioid-related harms in justice settings is limited. This study used ambulance data to examine opioid-related harms and experiences of care in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, during periods of incarceration or detention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReducing medical cannabis use risk among Veterans: A descriptive study.
Harm Reduct J
January 2025
Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada.
Background: Canadian Veterans experiencing chronic pain report concerns about accessing accurate information on the risks associated with medical cannabis (MC) use. The Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (LRCUG) were developed to equip individuals who use cannabis recreationally with safer-use strategies. Many of the harm reduction recommendations for recreational cannabis use are relevant and important considerations for MC use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcstasy, molly, MDMA: What health practitioners need to know about this common recreational drug.
Dis Mon
January 2025
NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York, NY, USA.
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; commonly referred to as "ecstasy" or "molly") is a substituted amphetamine drug that is used recreationally for its acute psychoactive effects, including euphoria and increased energy, as well as prosocial effects such as increased empathy and feelings of closeness with others. Acute adverse effects can include hyperthermia, dehydration, bruxism, and diaphoresis. Post-intoxication phenomena may include insomnia, anhedonia, anxiety, depression, and memory impairment, which can persist for days following drug cessation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHIV pre-exposure prophylaxis prescription initiation and maintenance among homeless-experienced people who use drugs.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
November 2024
Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
Background: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) remains particularly underutilized among homeless-experienced people who use drugs (PWUD).
Setting: Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, a Federally Qualified Health Center serving homeless-experienced individuals in Boston, Massachusetts.
Methods: To identify determinants of PrEP prescription initiation and continuation, we analyzed electronic medical records and pharmacy data between April 2018-March 2022.
Importance: Routine preoperative blood tests and electrocardiograms before low-risk surgery do not prevent adverse events or change management but waste resources and can cause patient harm. Given this, multispecialty organizations recommend against routine testing before low-risk surgery.
Objective: To determine whether a multicomponent deimplementation strategy (the intervention) would reduce low-value preoperative testing before low-risk general surgery operations.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!