Integrating Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment with HIV Services: Evidence-Based Models and Baseline Descriptions

Abstract

Adolescents with substance use disorders are at high risk for contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Adolescence is the period of sexual maturation that compounds the issues associated with infection transmission for this risk-taking group. Integrated treatment models for implementing HIV education, counseling, and testing is a promising approach. This study describes four substance abuse treatment programs of varying levels of care that integrated HIV services for adolescents. Additionally, the evidence-based substance abuse treatment and HIV models are discussed and the baseline characteristics presented. The authors provide a discussion and offer recommendations for service implementation and additional research.

Keywords::

• HIV
• adolescents
• sexually transmitted infections
• substance use
• sexual risk
• evidence-based models

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors acknowledge Jutta Butler for encouraging the development and submission of this manuscript. We also acknowledge all the youths and families that participated in the services and evaluation.

FUNDING

This research was supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). The views expressed here are the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.