Intervention Targeting Substance Using Older Adults With HIV

"The Spiritual Self Schema therapy (3S+) intervention will consist of a series of 12 one hour-long sessions delivered individually to participants over a four-month period. The 3S+ approach combines cognitive and behavioral therapy techniques with elements of non-theistic Buddhist philosophy to increase motivation for treatment adherence, alcohol and/or substance use reduction or abstinence and the prevention or reduction of HIV risk behaviors. 3S+ draws from self-regulation theory, self-schema theory, and self-discrepancy theory to assist participants in defining and perceiving their addict self, when their addict self is active, and its resulting negative affect state. 3S+ remediates the addict schema by proposing the construction of an alternate and competing schema: the spiritual self. This spiritual self schema is compatible with HIV self-care, alcohol and drug use reduction or abstinence, adherence to treatment, and a compassionate life."