Reducing Sex-Related HIV Risk Behaviors in Patients Receiving Treatment for Opioid Dependence (Project RED)
Opiate Dependence, HIV Infections
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Opiate Dependence focused on measuring Buprenorphine, Drug counseling, HIV risk reduction counseling, HIV Seronegativity, HIV risk behaviors
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Subjects meeting DSM-IV criteria for current opioid dependence
- HIV risk behaviors
Exclusion Criteria:
- current dependence on benzodiazepines or sedatives
- current suicide or homicide risk
- current psychotic disorder or untreated major depression
- inability to read or understand English
- unstable medical problems
Sites / Locations
- Methadone Research Unit, The APT Foundation, Inc.
- Yale-New Haven Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
1
2
Enhanced Sexual Risk Management (ESRM): Patients assigned to ESRM will attend 4 individual gender-specific interactive counseling sessions, once weekly over a four-week period. They will attend 2 sessions (20 minutes, weeks 2 and 3) followed by 2 sessions (40 minutes, weeks 4 and 5) that will be gender-specific to the patient and gender-matched with the study physicians (one female and one male) who will be trained in HIV testing and risk counseling. Sessions will include skill-building in condom use, safer sex negotiation, self-control of triggers and coping skills, didactic materials, and distribution of written material and address self-perception of risk, barriers to risk reduction, and negotiation of a risk-reduction plan.
Standard Sexual Risk Management (SSRM): In SSRM, patients will attend two 10-minute gender non-specific individual educational sessions about HIV/AIDS provided by one of the study physicians who will be trained in HIV testing and risk counseling. Session 1 will coincide with the physician visit at the time of randomization. The patient will receive pre-test counseling at this time and undergo HIV antibody testing. Session 2 will take place 7 days later when the patient returns to receive their HIV test results and post-test counseling. In addition, subjects will receive didactic prevention messages about HIV relevant to their reported risks and will be asked if they have questions regarding this information.