Gene Expression Outcomes in Interventions for Substance Using HIV+ Minority Men

Gene Expression Outcomes in Interventions for Substance Using HIV+ Minority Men

This is a pilot study of a new 9-session individually delivered cognitive behavioral intervention targeting sexual minority stress. In this study, 40 HIV+ men sexual minority men will be recruited for the study then will be randomly assigned to either the new 9 session intervention or a writing task condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Provide evidence or documentation of HIV positive status (e.g. a letter of diagnosis or medication bottles with matched photo ID)
• Be English speaking
• Be able to consent
• Sexual activity with a man in the 3 years prior to initial contact or identification as gay or bisexual
• Not currently be enrolled in formal substance abuse treatment
• Report at least one occasion of drinking 5 or more drinks or of using an illicit substance in the previous 3 months, but not meet criteria for a severe substance use disorder.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of a severe substance use disorder
• Presence of current symptoms consistent with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, which would indicate that an intervention targeting these symptoms would be more appropriate.