Methamphetamine (meth) has
become one of the most widely abused drugs in South Florida, particularly among
MSM who may or may not be HIV seropositive. High rates of childhood trauma have
been reported among HIV-infected MSM (Chartier et al., 2010), but, the
association of childhood trauma, and mood disorders with methamphetamine use in
HIV-infected men, has not been comprehensively explored.
A better understanding
of the association between these factors could improve existing substance abuse
treatment intervention strategies and medical treatment programs (e.g.,
medication adherence; Carrico, 2010) to enhance positive health outcomes for
male meth abusers living with the psychological consequences of childhood
abuse.
This study, as part of a larger study, examined the occurrence of
childhood trauma and depression in a group of HIV seropositive meth abusing
MSM. Significantly higher levels of depression symptom severity were found
among meth users relative to non-meth users (p < .001).
Irrespective
of HIV status, meth users also reported higher frequencies of emotional,
physical and sexual child abuse relative to non-meth users
(p < .001). Among meth users, depression was predicted by
childhood emotional neglect. These results suggest that childhood maltreatment
may be implicated in the development of emotional distress (e.g., depression)
and higher prevalence of methamphetamine/drug abuse in this population.
These
findings have important implications for substance abuse interventions, specifically
targeting Meth addiction among MSM. Addressing childhood trauma and depression
may play a key role in enhancing the effectiveness of interventions for
methamphetamine addiction.
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By: Lopez-Patton M1, Kumar M2, Jones D2, Fonseca M2, Kumar AM2, Nemeroff CB2.
- 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. Electronic address: mrosana512@yahoo.com.
- 2Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
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