Sexual Behavior Patterns of Methamphetamine-Using Gay and Bisexual Men

Abstract

We assessed the sexual behaviors of 49 gay and bisexual methamphetamine users in New York City and the relationship between their use of the substance and their sexual practices as part of a larger investigation of the behavioral aspects of methamphetamine use. Participants were assessed on their use of methamphetamine and their sexual behaviors in conjunction with use of the substance. Participants reported equivalent rates of unprotected anal insertive and receptive behaviors when comparing their sexual acts while high on methamphetamine, high on other drugs, and sober. In addition, equivalent rates of “extreme” sex acts were found for 10 of the 12 behaviors examined while high on methamphetamine and while sober. While we found few differences in terms of rates of sexual behaviors, our analysis revealed more frequent risky sexual behaviors among HIV positive men when compared with HIV negative men. Our results suggest that methamphetamine attracts a hypersexual risk-taking group of men who engage in unprotected sexual behaviors regardless of their methamphetamine use. Treatment implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• drug use
• methamphetamine: psychosexual behaviors
• HIV
• gay and bisexual men

Additional information

Notes on contributors

PERRY N. HALKITIS

Perry N. Halkitis, Ph.D., is a health and educational psychologist and research methodologist who is Associate Professor and Chair of Applied Psychology and Director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies (CHIBPS) at New York University, and a research affiliate of the New York University Medical School Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Dr. Halkitis has worked in the field of HIV/AIDS conducting behavioral research since 1995. His work has focused on prevention for HIV-positive people, HIV treatment and adherence issues, methamphetamine and other club drug use in the gay community, bareback behavior and identity, conceptions of masculinity among gay men, genetic resistance to HIV, and spirituality in the LGBT population.

MICHAEL T. SHREM

Michael T. Shrem, Ed.M., is a Graduate Assistant/Research Associate at CHIBPS and a doctoral student of School Psychology in the Department of Applied Psychology, New York University. Mr. Shrem has worked in the areas of drug and alcohol abuse, health education for children and adults, and counseling for individuals facing addiction issues.

FREDERICK W. MARTIN

Frederick W. Martin, B.A., was Research Associate at CHIBPS. He possesses expertise in both research and counseling related to methamphetamine addiction, which he has shared at numerous conferences and meetings throughout the United States.