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The Context of HIV Risk Among Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners

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“<strong>The</strong>re were like 20 people or so, but most <strong>of</strong> them I didn’t, I wasn’t<br />

interested in being associated with, they were queeny or whatever...<br />

But it was good to have it, because I did meet some people that I<br />

could relate to, that I’m still friends with today, <strong>and</strong> I met someone I<br />

became involved with.”<br />

Rob successfully used this therapeutic youth group to connect with<br />

others. After donating to a campus blood drive in the fall <strong>of</strong> 1992, Rob<br />

learned that he had been infected with <strong>HIV</strong>. For help adjusting to his<br />

new status, Rob went to a support group for youth living with <strong>HIV</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />

AIDS. In the winter <strong>of</strong> 1993, he was working up the courage to tell his<br />

family <strong>and</strong> his lover his <strong>HIV</strong> status. He had started using condoms<br />

regularly, stopped using drugs, <strong>and</strong> decided never again to use speed.<br />

<strong>The</strong> steps Rob had taken-joining a support group, seeing a therapist,<br />

finding new employment, taking an apartment with another person living<br />

with <strong>HIV</strong>, beginning an intimate relationship with a non-drug-user-were<br />

examples <strong>of</strong> the dramatic life changes that are associated with drug use<br />

cessation (K<strong>and</strong>el <strong>and</strong> Raveis 1989; Stall <strong>and</strong> Biernacki 1986). With a<br />

variety <strong>of</strong> social supports, Rob’s resolve to change the conditions <strong>of</strong> his<br />

life may be reinforced <strong>and</strong> succeed. Unfortunately Mark <strong>and</strong> Jim do not<br />

share the same resolve or have positive support networks available.<br />

IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERVENTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS<br />

Methamphetamine use can provide youths with an illusion <strong>of</strong> excitement<br />

<strong>and</strong> satisfaction in their lives. Initially it is a means to an end: to get<br />

high, to increase sexual potency, to facilitate intimacy with others.<br />

Eventually, chronic use becomes an end in itself, as waking hours are<br />

spent from one run to the next <strong>and</strong> all efforts are geared towards getting<br />

more drugs. Instead <strong>of</strong> sexual potency, sexual dysfunction results;<br />

instead <strong>of</strong> intimacy, further isolation <strong>and</strong> paranoia occur. <strong>The</strong><br />

developmental tasks that face all youth are distorted or retarded.<br />

Metaphorically <strong>and</strong> in reality, methamphetamine use is equivalent to<br />

going nowhere fast.<br />

Youths like Mark, Jim, <strong>and</strong> Rob who participate in methamphetamineusing<br />

activities <strong>and</strong> subcultures clearly are at risk for <strong>HIV</strong> infection.<br />

<strong>The</strong>se youths have multiple problems in their lives, <strong>and</strong> the contextual<br />

factors that influence their <strong>HIV</strong> risk are on many levels. At the most<br />

basic level, some youths frequently are concerned with finding shelter for<br />

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