Larry M. Gant, CSW, PhD, School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 734-763-5990, Lmgant@umich.edu

Sexual trauma and sexual problems in the treatment of drug using persons has been recognized by clinicians, but little of this work has been incorporated in AIDS Risk Reduction intervention research. This study examined a subset of responses from one hundred forty-eight men involved in a Detroit based clinical research study to questions about involvement in sexual behavior and perceived HIV risk. Participants completed a questionnaire modified from the Substance Abuse Problem Checklist (SAPC) - a clinical screening instrument created and used by Carroll (Carroll, 1984; Carroll et al., 2001). Pearson Chi-Square and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Scheffe and Tukey’s HSD tests were utilized to perform univariate tests of significance. Findings revealed that nearly 90% of respondents reported at least one sexual behavior problem. Cluster analyses revealed six sexual behavior domains: sex behavior and drug use, possible post-traumatic sexual compulsions, sexual relationship and fidelity issues, problems with sexual desire and arousal due to addiction/treatment and prior problematic sexual history. While not all men in drug treatment programs report sexual problems, a sufficient percentage may reflect these issues. The revised- SAPC responses do not indicate causal directions between sexual problems and substance abuse, but certainly demonstrate associations consistent with previous research and clinical observation. The findings led to the development of a curriculum module addressing sexual function and dysfunction issues for the men in the clinical research study. The implications of addressing or not addressing these sexual problems in future risk reduction interventions for drug dependent individuals are considered.

Learning Objectives: As a result of this presentation, participants will

• articulate the importance of sexual problems and functions in chronic drug using populations.
• specify clusters of sex behaviors and dysfunctions common in men at high risk for HIV/AIDS
• Develop the basic outline of a curriculum component addressing sexual dysfunction issues for high-risk populations.

Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.