More Than Drugs

Abstract

This study sought to uncover the prevalence of continued drug use and statements about everyday adherence decision-making from a community sample of HIV-seropositive individuals with a history of substance use and also enrolled in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least six months. Ninety participants attended one of three focus groups and, collectively, generated 100 statements describing their day-to-day motivations and barriers to HIV-medical adherence. In addition, participants' self-reported substance use revealed that just under 40% (n =33) were juggling substance use and their HIV medication regimens within the past 30 days. The statements reveal varied and complex adherence factors, which included relatively more non-drug-related than drug-related factors. Further, participants non-drug-related statements covered a broad range of reasons related to adherence that tended to fall into the same major categories as those found across other subgroups: system, disease management, patient-provider relationship, and individual factors. The authors discuss the need for providers to consider the breath and complexity of adherence factors that impact readiness to initiate and adhere to ART for this population.

Key Words:

• HIV
• AIDS
• adherence
• substance use
• stigma