Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs and HIV Risk Behavior in Gay and Bisexual Men

• Published in: Sexually transmitted diseases Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 105 - 110
• Main Authors: Benotsch, Eric G., Martin, Aaron M., Koester, Stephen, Cejka, Anna, Luckman, Diana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-02-2011; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Analgesics; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Biological and medical sciences; Bisexuality; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Gays & lesbians; General aspects; HIV; HIV Infections - transmission; Homosexuality, Male; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human infectious diseases. Experimental studies and models; Human viral diseases; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Men; Middle Aged; Original Study; Prescription Drugs; Risk factors; Risk-Taking; Sexual Behavior; Substance-Related Disorders - diagnosis; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Unsafe Sex; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Young Adult; Human; Immunopathology; Homosexuality; Retroviridae; Male; AIDS; Bisexuality; Immune deficiency; Lentivirus; Infection; Virus; Sexually transmitted disease; Medical prescription; Viral disease; Risk factor; Behavior; Human immunodeficiency virus
• ISSN: 0148-5717; 1537-4521
• DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3181f0bc4b

Background: Previous research has demonstrated associations between substance use and sexual risk behavior in men who have sex with men (MSM). Recent trends in substance use show increasing use of prescription medications (e.g., Vicodin) without a physician's prescription, yet associations between the nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) and HIV risk behavior have not been well examined in MSM. Methods: MSM attending a gay pride festival completed a self-report measure assessing NMUPD, motivations for use, use of traditional recreational drugs, and HIV risk behavior. Results: More than one-third of the sample (38%) reported lifetime NMUPD and 17% reported NMUPD in the previous 3 months. The most common class of medications used was prescription analgesics. Men reporting NMUPD also reported higher rates of the use of marijuana, poppers, ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, GHB, ketamine, heroin, and rohypnol, and had significantly higher rates of HIV risk behaviors, including more sexual partners and more unprotected sex. Conclusions: A significant minority of MSM are using prescription medications without a doctor's consent. Men who do so are risking negative consequences of such use, including the potential for addiction, potentially dangerous interactions between prescription and recreational drugs, and greater risk for contracting HIV.