Binge use of methamphetamine among HIV-positive men who have sex with men : pilot data and HIV prevention implications

S. Semple, T. Patterson, I. Grant

This study compared the social and behavioral characteristics of binge users and nonbinge users of methamphetamine (meth) in a sample of 90 HIV-positive men who have sex with men. Forty-one participants (46%) self-identified as a binge user. Meth binges ranged from 2 to 33 days (mean = 5.6), and average consumption was 3.1 grams. Binge users were significantly more likely than nonbinge users to be ethnic minority and to have lower education. The two groups did not differ in terms of the total amount of meth used in the past 30 days; however, binge users reported significantly more social difficulties, more mental and physical health problems, and more sexual risk behaviors as compared with nonbinge users. The findings are discussed in relation to drug treatment approaches and the development of behavioral interventions.