HIV Counseling Intervention for Methadone-Maintained Patients - 2

HIV Counseling Intervention for Methadone-Maintained Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate HIV counseling intervention for Methadone-Maintained Patients.

The purpose of this proposal is to evaluate, in methadone-maintained patients the association between an ADHD diagnosis and high-risk HIV/Hepatitis behavior. In addition, the investigators would like to determine whether a new manually-guided HIV intervention; RISE: Reduce high risk Intravenous drug use and unsafe Sexual Encounters is superior to standard HIV/Hepatitis psycho-education.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must meet DSM-IV criteria for opiate dependence and currently in methadone maintenance treatment
• Able to give informed consent and capable of complying with study procedures
• Women who are of childbearing age and/or pregnant may be included
• Individuals who are HIV-positive or have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome may be included
• Patients who demonstrate moderate to high HIV risk behaviors will be included
• Patients with low to no HIV risk behaviors will be excluded
• Patients receiving a stable dose of methadone for three weeks will be included

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently meets DSM-IV criteria for current Axis I psychiatric disorders (other than ADHD or substance abuse) which requires medical intervention, i.e., active suicide ideation, active psychosis, anxiety disorders, depression requiring hospitalization
• Patients who have exhibited suicidal or homicidal behavior within the past two years
• HIV positive patients must have knowledge of their status for a minimum of three weeks