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. 2025 Jul;29(7):2324-2335.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-025-04695-x. Epub 2025 Apr 5.

Drug Addiction in Gay and Bisexual Men Living with HIV Engaged in Sexualized Drug Use: Recent Drug Use, Polydrug and Depressive Symptoms as Predictors

Mar J F Ollero  1 , Pablo Ryan  2   3   4 , Helen Dolengevich-Segal  5 , Joanna Cano-Smith  6 , Luis Ramos-Ruperto  6 , Alfonso Cabello  7 , Matilde Sanchez-Conde  8 , Noemí Cabello  9   10   11 , Jose Sanz  12 , Lucio Jesus García-Fraile  11   13 , Leire Perez-Latorre  14 , Otilia Bisbal  15 , Sara De La Fuente  16 , Juan Emilio Losa  17 , Alicia González-Baeza  18
Affiliations

Drug Addiction in Gay and Bisexual Men Living with HIV Engaged in Sexualized Drug Use: Recent Drug Use, Polydrug and Depressive Symptoms as Predictors

Mar J F Ollero et al. AIDS Behav. 2025 Jul.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Evidence shows that engaging in sexualized drug use (SDU) can be associated with sexual health problems and poor mental health. However, the prevalence of drug-related problems associated with SDU remains unclear. Our study aimed to examine the prevalence and associated factors of drug-related problems and drug dependence in a sample of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men living with HIV (HIV + GBMSM). We included 101 HIV + GBMSM who had engaged in SDU in the last year. Participants completed an online survey featuring a validated questionnaire (the DUDIT test) to assess the risk of drug-related problems and drug dependence. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore variables associated with drug-related problems. 80% of our sample had symptoms suggestive of drug-related problems, with 5% showing likely drug dependence. Additionally, 10% had suffered an overdose with loss of consciousness, 9% experienced suicidal thoughts associated with SDU, and approximately 20% had sexual difficulties during sober sex since using drugs for sex. Multivariate analysis identified that recent drug use (less than 15 days prior), polydrug use, and depressive symptoms are independent predictors of drug-related problems. Our study revealed a high prevalence of drug-related problems among HIV + GBMSM engaged in SDU. The factors associated with drug-related problems identified in our study can serve as key markers in clinical settings where HIV + GBMSM receive care. These indicators can help detect community members most at risk and facilitate the provision of resources and interventions to prevent SDU-related harm.

La evidencia disponible muestra que el uso sexualizado de drogas (USD) se asocia a problemas de salud sexual y mental, pero se desconoce la prevalencia de problemas relacionados con las drogas en este contexto. Nuestro estudio tuvo como objetivo explorar la prevalencia de uso problemático de drogas y sus factores asociados en una muestra de hombres homosexuales, bisexuales y otros hombres que tienen sexo con hombres con el VIH (HSH VIH+). Un total de 101 HSH VIH + que habían participado en USD en el último año completaron una encuesta que incluyó un cuestionario validado (test DUDIT) para evaluar el uso problemático y dependencia a drogas. Se realizaron análisis univariantes y multivariantes. El 80% de nuestra muestra presentó indicadores de uso problemático de drogas y el 5% probable dependencia de drogas. Además, el 10% había sufrido sobredosis con pérdida de conciencia, el 9% pensamientos suicidas asociados con el USD y el 20% dificultades durante el sexo sin drogas. El uso reciente de drogas (menos de 15 días antes), el uso de múltiples drogas y los síntomas depresivos fueron predictores independientes de uso problemático de drogas. Nuestro estudio muestra una alta prevalencia de problemas relacionados con las drogas entre los HSH VIH + que habían realizado USD. Además, los factores asociados identificados podrían servir como indicadores de riesgo en recursos clínicos donde los HSH VIH + reciben atención, pudiendo ayudar a detectar a los miembros de la comunidad con mayor riesgo y facilitar la provisión de recursos e intervenciones para prevenir daños relacionados.

Keywords: Chemsex; Drug use; Drug-related problems; GBMSM; HIV; Polydrug use.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Consequences associated to Sexualized Drug Use in our sample (n = 101)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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