Intervention Targeting Medication Adherence and Methamphetamine Use in HIV Positive Men (ACE)

The first two sessions will be primarily Motivational Interviewing and begin with an introduction to the nature of treatment, emphasizing the client's autonomy, and explain that the purpose of the sessions is to explore feelings about their medication adherence, meth use, and any other issues, with the eventual goal of working towards any changes the client may wish to make. During the third session, the client will complete an individualized functional analysis of recent occasions when the client missed medication, used MA and/or other substances, and engaged in risky sex (not necessarily all at the same time). Sessions four through seven will focus on Cognitive Behavioral Skills Training for adherence, reducing or stopping meth use, reducing or stopping the combination of meth and other drug use, and avoiding risky sexual behavior. The final session emphasizes maintenance of behavior change and relapse prevention.

"During the first two sessions participants watch the documentary Rock bottom to receive information on Crystal Methamphetamine, and the possible interactions between HIV medications and recreational substances. Sessions 3 and 4 focus on the importance of medication adherence, viral replication and mutation, and resistance. Session 5 focuses on the negative effects of several recreational substances as well as the negative effects of mixing substances. Session six discusses HIV stigma, transmission risk sexual behavior, and HIV disclosure. Session 7 revisits medication adherence, focusing on dealing with medication side effects and communicating with health care providers. The final session uses part of the documentary Meth which highlights issues of methamphetamine use through interviews with men in various stages of recovery."