In the United States, methamphetamine use is endemic to urban men who
have sex with men (MSM). Among them, methamphetamine use is significantly
associated with high-risk sexual behaviors, which has resulted in high
rates of HIV prevalence within many MSM populations. Methamphetamine-using
MSM consistently report using methamphetamine to enhance their sexual
encounters, often describing sex while on methamphetamine as more “intense,” “heightened,” “prolonged,” and “uninhibited.” The
affect of methamphetamine use on the sexual health of MSM has become
a public health concern. Data on methamphetamine-using MSM populations
in Los Angeles point to a “time-to-event” association between
the level of methamphetamine use and the likelihood of reporting HIV
infection (Shoptaw & Reback, 2006). Findings demonstrate that
the more involved MSM are in their use of methamphetamine (as measured
by their history of use and their frequency of use), the higher the prevalence
of HIV infection. As methamphetamine use is associated with high-risk
sexual behaviors among MSM, users also report an increased number of
sexual partners, decreased use of condoms, multiple-partner sexual activities,
engaging in sex with casual and anonymous partners, engaging in unprotected
receptive and insertive anal sex with casual partners, an increased likelihood
of being HIV-infected or having a sexually transmitted infection, and
an increased likelihood of have hepatitis A, B or C infection.
Methamphetamine is frequently used in gay-owned and gay-operated venues
such as bars, bathhouses, sex clubs and circuit parties, i.e., weekend
long events that celebrate gay sexuality and sensibility. Consequently,
among MSM, the experience of using methamphetamine has become institutionalized
within certain sectors of gay culture through gay-identified businesses. Many
MSM methamphetamine users report that the drug enables them to meet other
men more easily, connect socially and sexually with other men, and alter
more rigid attitudes toward sex. Research studies have found that
MSM methamphetamine users report engaging in higher-risk sexual activities
not typically practiced when not using the drug (Reback et al., 2004).
Reports:
- Getting
Off: A Behavioral Treatment Intervention For Gay and Bisexual
Male Methamphetamine Users - Social
Construction of a Gay Drug: Methamphetamine Use Among Gay
and Bisexual Males in Los Angeles - Behavioral treatment approaches for methamphetamine dependence and
HIV-related sexual risk behaviors among urban gay and bisexual men - Methamphetamine
abuse as a barrier to HIV medication adherence among gay and
bisexual men - Methamphetamine-dependent
gay men’s disclosure of
their HIV status to sexual partners - Changes in the Meaning of Sexual Risk Behaviors Among
Gay and Bisexual Male Methamphetamine Abusers
Before and After Drug Treatment - Associations between Methamphetamine Use
and HIV among Men Who Have Sex with Men:
A Model for Guiding Public Policy
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