BEing Safe in Treatment

Maximizing the Patient-counselor Relationship to Reduce Sexual Risk

Prior research has shown that many individuals with substance use disorders engage in HIV/sexual risk behaviors, and could strongly benefit from HIV prevention interventions that were delivered as part of their substance abuse treatment. However, discussions about sexual risk are not occurring at an appropriate frequency in treatment settings. This project will test the effects of counselor training and coaching, combined with a brief assessment and feedback tool, on counselor-patient communication about sex and on patient sexual risk behavior.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Admitted to substance use disorder treatment in the prior 45 days,
• Age 18 years or older
• Plan to remain in the local area for the next three months
• Assigned to a treatment counselor enrolled in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

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