An Exploratory Investigation of Treatment Strategies for Black, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Men-Who-Have-Sex- With-Men Who Use Methamphetamine

Research has repeatedly indicated a strong relation between methamphetamine use and risky sex leading to HIV-seroconversion. Despite the high prevalence of HIV among Black gay, bisexual, and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (BMSM) and the strong association between methamphetamine use and HIV-seroconversion, treatment research on methamphetamine use and HIV-risk behaviors among BMSM is limited. The goal of this exploratory study was to investigate treatment strategies for BMSM that may be used to inform methamphetamine treatment programs tailored for BMSM. Data was collected on a sample of HIV-negative and HIV-positive gay, bisexual, and heterosexual BMSM (N = 52) in New York City. Participants were asked to discuss methamphetamine treatment strategies they believed would be successful in treating their own methamphetamine abuse and that of other BMSM who use methamphetamine. Results indicated four treatment areas salient for BMSM seeking treatment for methamphetamine used disorders: (a) outreach/recruitment strategies, (b) therapist qualities, (c) group characteristics, and (d) intervention elements themselves. Findings gathered here and through literature review underscore the importance of adapting evidence-based methamphetamine treatment strategies to include culturally-relevant treatment strategies that address the specific needs of BMSM who use methamphetamine.