Methamphetamine Use and Risky Sexual Behaviors During Heterosexual Encounters

Abstract

Methamphetamine use during heterosexual encounters appears to increase sexual risk-taking, especially when both partners are using it.

Methamphetamine and Cocaine Use among Mexican Migrants in California: The California-Mexico Epidemiological Surveillance Pilot

“…Younger age and having multiple sexual partners were associated with methamphetamine/cocaine use in all three venue types in this sample of Mexican migrant men. This finding is similar to other studies of methamphetamine use among heterosexuals (CDC, 2006;Molitor et al, 1998;Zule et al, 2007). Higher acculturation has previously been shown to be associated with illicit drug use among Mexican immigrants (Vega et al, 1998), similar to the association with methamphetamine/ cocaine use found in our study.…”

“…In addition, because this was a cross-sectional design, the directionality of the associations may vary in that some of the factors may precede, be concurrent with, or pursue methamphetamine/cocaine use. Notwithstanding, the literature indicates alcohol binging is common at the time of using methamphetamine and cocaine, and jointly, promote unprotected sex, a greater number of sexual partners, and ultimately, an increased likelihood of becoming infected with HIV and other STIs (Colfax et al, 2004;Semple, Zians, Grant, & Patterson, 2005;Zule et al, 2007). Another limitation is that the drug use questions did not address intensity of use in the past 12 months.…”

“…Over time, environmental and behavioral factors may increase the opportunities for HIV-infected individuals to enter into Latino migrant sexual networks, and migrant communities could experience higher rates of HIV infection and transmission (Apostolopoulos et al, 2006;Rangel et al, 2006;Worby & Organista, 2007). Methamphetamine and cocaine use promotes opportunities for becoming infected with HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and, more recently, among men who have sex with women, particularly through unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse and unprotected intercourse with a new partner (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2006;Compton, Lamb, & Fletcher, 1995;Mansergh et al, 2006;Molitor, Truax, Ruiz, & Sun, 1998;Zule, Costenbader, Meyer, & Wechsberg, 2007). Although there is evidence that methamphetamine and crack cocaine smoking is increasing nationally, especially in the border states in Mexico and in the United States, in addition to increasing non-injected methamphetamine use among Latinos diagnosed with AIDS in California, research is scarce addressing these behaviors among Mexican migrants in relation to HIV (Maxwell et al, 2006;Rock Wohl, Johnson, & Frye, 2007).…”

Using a Modified Intervention Mapping Approach to Develop and Refine a Single-Session Motivational Intervention for Methamphetamine-Using Men Who Have Sex With Men

“…Because it seemed that reducing MA use may be essential for risk reduction in many men we selected motivational interviewing (MI) as our intervention approach. MI is a client-centered counseling style that brings about behavior change by working with clients to explore and resolve ambivalence [31,32]. The five central principles of MI are (1) using reflective listening to express empathy, (2) using reflective listening and objective feedback to develop discrepancy between client goals and current problem behavior, (3) avoiding arguments by giving the client the responsibility for the decision to change, (4) avoiding resistance instead of confronting or opposing it, and (5) supporting self-efficacy and optimism for change [31].…”

Methamphetamine-Using Parents: The Relationship Between Parental Role Strain and Depressive Symptoms

“…As documented in studies of heterosexual users, many of whom are parents, the highly addictive, sexually stimulating, "binge and crash" nature of methamphetamine may result in children being exposed to a set of parental behaviors that include parents staying "high" and awake for days, having multiple sex partners, exhibiting erratic and bizarre behaviors, and experiencing extreme euphoria followed by painful withdrawal symptoms (e.g., depression, paranoia, irritability, aggression, delusions, or hallucinations; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006;Cheng et al, 2010;Semple et al, 2004Semple et al, , 2005aZule et al, 2007). The children of methamphetamine users also may experience a chaotic home life, with inadequate supervision, inconsistent parenting, chronic neglect, parental aggression, violence, and other safety risks (e.g., exposure to chemical and toxic fumes from home-based methamphetamine laboratories, to weapons, or to criminal activity; Amatetti and Young, 2006;McMahon, 2005).…”