Substance Use Outcomes of an Integrated HIV-Substance Use Treatment Model Implemented by Social Workers and HIV Medical Providers

Substance use is highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH) and associated with poor health outcomes. Although understudied, integrating substance use and medical care for PLWH may decrease substance use. Using a quasi-experimental design, the authors tested an integrated model of substance use treatment provided by social workers located in HIV medical care settings in North Carolina. Participants were interviewed at baseline (N = 204), six months (n = 157), and 12 months (n = 138) using the Addiction Severity Index-Lite (ASI). In linear mixed analyses, statistically significant decreases were detected in ASI alcohol use (p = .003) and drug use (p = .023) severity scores after treatment participation. This was true regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, education, self-rated health status, and age, suggesting there were no differences in integrated treatment outcomes across demographic groups. In addition, greater reductions in anxiety and depression were associated with lower ASI alcohol and drug severity scores after treatment participation. Study findings suggest that integrated care in HIV clinics with enhanced communication between social workers and HIV medical providers may deliver improved treatment outcomes for PLWH.

Duke Scholars

Author Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell Duke Global Health Institute

Author Susan Reif  

Author Paolo Mannelli Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Adult Psychiatry & Psychol ...