NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network: An Opportunity for HIV Research in Community Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Abstract

Background/Objectives HIV continues to be a significant problem among substance users and their sexual partners in the United States. The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) offers a national platform for effectiveness trials of HIV interventions in community substance abuse treatment programs. This article presents the HIV activities of the CTN during its first 10 years. Results While emphasizing CTN HIV protocols, this article reviews the (1) HIV context for this work; (2) the collaborative process among providers, researchers, and National Institute on Drug Abuse CTN staff, on which CTN HIV work was based; (3) results of CTN HIV protocols and HIV secondary analyses in CTN non-HIV protocols; and (4) implications for future HIV intervention effectiveness research in community substance abuse treatment programs. Conclusion/Significance While the feasibility of engaging frontline providers in this research is highlighted, the limitations of small to medium effect sizes and weak adoption and sustainability in everyday practice are also discussed.

Dual HIV risk and vulnerabilities among women who use or inject drugs

“…Refusal to share needles could also result in loss of the woman’s source of subsistence and income, and put pressure on her to engage in high-risk behavior [43]. The likelihood of engaging in risky behaviors increases as abuse and dependency on drugs increases [44]. FSWs who use drugs may be more likely to acquiesce to a client’s demands for unprotected sex if they are under the influence of drugs or experiencing withdrawal [4].…”

A Comprehensive Model for Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS Health Care

“…Editorial Both illicit drug abuse and HIV/AIDS are among the most important health concerns globally. During the past decade, HIV has continued to be a major health challenge among drug abusers [1]. There are a large number of studies on drug abuse among HIV positive patients which have shown injection drug use -either directly or indirectly-is responsible for more than one third of HIV infections [2].…”

Substance Use Disorders and HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Intervention: Research and Practice Considerations

“…Since its inception, the CTN has conducted five HIV-specific protocols (Tross et al, 2011). These protocols include geographically diverse programs from across the U.S. and are developed through ongoing partnerships between providers and researchers.…”