Behavioral interventions for HIV infected and uninfected mothers with problem drinking

This article evaluates the efficacy of a 14-session social-cognitive behavioral intervention on problem drinking (and where applicable, drug use) among urban HIV-infected and uninfected mothers, in comparison to a single-session social/motivational intervention, and explores the relationships of initial substance use problem severity and HIV status to efficacy. A randomized controlled trial design was used. Participants (N = 118) were mothers with problem drinking, both HIV-infected (55%) and uninfected, and primarily from racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status backgrounds. Participants were interviewed five times over 18 months. Both intervention arms yielded reductions in alcohol and drug use frequency, alcohol quantity, and alcohol/drug problems, with moderate effect sizes. Those with greater initial substance use maintained reductions over a longer period of time in response to the more intensive social-cognitive intervention. Treatment efficacy did not vary by HIV status. The utility of targeting intervention intensity to the level of substance use is supported.