Substance Use Treatment Engagement among Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Use Stimulants in the Northeastern United States

Viera, Adam; Sosnowy, Collette; Berg, Jacob J. van den; Mehta, Nikita; Edelman, E. Jennifer; Kershaw, Trace; Chan, Philip A.

doi:10.1080/10826084.2022.2026965

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 44 publications

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“…Treatment available has also overseen specific needs related to sexualized substance use (known as chemsex in some settings) [ 17 , 18 ], which include coping strategies for unpleasant emotions, depressive symptoms, and traumatic events [ 19 , 20 ]. Furthermore, as with the general population, it has been reported that gbMSM may be more interested in engaging in strategies that go beyond abstinence-based programs [ 21 , 22 ], such as harm reduction strategies. Although its origins were focused on HIV prevention, currently harm reduction strategies encompass strategies that protect and improve the health of persons who use drugs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility, acceptability, and perceived usefulness of a community-evidence-based harm reduction intervention for sexualized stimulant use among Mexican gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

Rafful,

Orozco,

Peralta

et al. 2024

Harm Reduct J

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Background The use of stimulants and other substances with the purpose of enhancing, maintaining, and prolonging sexual activity is known as sexualized substance use. Also known as chemsex, this pattern of use has been mainly explored in high-income countries. The aim of this article was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and usefulness of a community- evidence-based harm reduction intervention among Mexican gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) adults who reported sexualized stimulant use in the past 6 months and who were not enrolled in any psychosocial treatment. Methods The in-person intervention was designed in partnership with gbMSM who used substances. It consisted of 39 harm reduction strategies before, during, and after episodes of use. The components of the intervention were health and self-care, safety, and psychopharmacology. The intervention was delivered at a university campus, a public recreational space, and an HIV public clinic. Feasibility to deliver the intervention was assessed based on enrolment and completion rates; acceptability through a 28-item, 5-point Likert scale (140 max.) constructed and validated for the Mexican population with good reliability coefficients; usefulness through a 5-point Likert scale (“not useful”-“very useful”) for each of the 39 strategies; and potential behavioral change by subtracting the likelihood of implementing each strategy minus the frequency of use of the technique before the intervention. Results Participants (n = 19; recruitment rate = 35.2%; completion rate = 84.2%) rated the intervention as acceptable with a mean score of 121.6 (SD = 7.5). The highest potential for behavioral change was regarding the use of information about the half-life of stimulants, polysubstance use, and overdose prevention. Conclusions This intervention is feasible when provided within public health services where potential participants are already in contact. Harm reduction strategies need to surpass sexually transmitted infections prevention and HIV care and focus on substance use and mental health strategies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility, acceptability, and perceived usefulness of a community-evidence-based harm reduction intervention for sexualized stimulant use among Mexican gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

Rafful,

Orozco,

Peralta

et al. 2024

Harm Reduct J

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Assessing the feasibility of SMART Recovery for sexual and gender minority individuals: Results from a feasibility and preliminary outcomes trial

McGeough,

Cohen,

Greenwood

2023

Sexual and Gender Diversity in Social Services

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Barriers and facilitators to medication-assisted treatment for cocaine use disorder among men who have sex with men: a qualitative study

Hsiang,

Patel,

Wilson

et al. 2024

Addict Sci Clin Pract

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Background Rates of cocaine use disorder (CUD) among men who have sex with men (MSM) are high and rising. Among MSM, cocaine use is associated with negative socioeconomic, medical, and psychological outcomes. There are no FDA-approved pharmacotherapy options to treat CUD, and psychosocial interventions demonstrate limited efficacy. While there have been numerous trials evaluating possible medications for CUD, there is a scarcity of qualitative data on the barriers and facilitators of medication-assisted treatment. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants enrolled in a phase II randomized control trial evaluating extended-release lorcaserin among MSM with CUD. Participants were asked about their motivations for enrolling in the study, attitudes towards taking a medication for CUD, barriers and facilitators of study pill adherence, and their general study experience. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive and exploratory approach to thematic analysis. Results Participants were highly motivated to reduce cocaine use and viewed pharmacotherapy as a viable and desirable treatment option. Pharmacotherapy was seen as having fewer access and adherence structural barriers compared to existing psychosocial therapies. Medication reminders facilitated pill taking, while side effects, travel, and active substance use presented barriers to study pill adherence. Disclosure of study participation within social networks was variable pointing to anticipated substance use and treatment stigma. Conclusions Our study highlights important factors affecting the acceptability and uptake of medication-assisted treatment for CUD among a diverse sample of MSM. These findings can help guide the development and implementation of future pharmacotherapy options for CUD and other substance use disorders in this key population.

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Substance Use Treatment Engagement among Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Use Stimulants in the Northeastern United States

Cited by 3 publications

References 44 publications

Feasibility, acceptability, and perceived usefulness of a community-evidence-based harm reduction intervention for sexualized stimulant use among Mexican gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

Feasibility, acceptability, and perceived usefulness of a community-evidence-based harm reduction intervention for sexualized stimulant use among Mexican gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men

Assessing the feasibility of SMART Recovery for sexual and gender minority individuals: Results from a feasibility and preliminary outcomes trial

Barriers and facilitators to medication-assisted treatment for cocaine use disorder among men who have sex with men: a qualitative study

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