Building Bridges in Bridgeport for HIV-Positive Substance Abusers

Abstract

Engagement and retention in treatment are important keys to adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for people living with HIV/AIDS. Engaging with HIV-positive substance abusers is particularly challenging because of their multiple needs. Although co-locating primary care, substance abuse, mental health, and support services are thought to be most effective for treatment, such programs can be difficult to implement. Collaboration and linkage between community service providers offer a good alternative method for reaching service integration. This article overviews the treatment integration needs of HIV-positive substance abusers and describes how one empirically selected social service program originated and continues to assist a community-based approach to care.

KEYWORDS:

• AIDS
• health care
• HIV
• linkage
• substance abuse

The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Carol Tobias and Marilynn Drainoni from Health and Disability Working Group, Boston University School of Public Health.