Problem drinking MSM are at risk for relapse because their social milieux are often associated with alcohol, and are at elevated risk for HIV because of high base rates of HIV and because drinking is associated with HIV-risk behavior. Although substantial research exists on HIV risk reduction in MSM alone or in combination with alcohol abuse treatment, few studies have examined the impact of alcohol-only treatment on HIV risk. Problem drinkers are most receptive to interventions focused on moderation of drinking rather than abstinence;however moderation-oriented cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is limited in that success depends on the successful implementation of new coping strategies for urges to drink and development of self-efficacy for coping. Naltrexone (NTX) is also a well established treatment for problem drinkers with moderated drinking goals, but its effects diminish after treatment is discontinued. The limitations of these treatments suggest that their combination might enhance the efficacy of both. We propose combining moderation-oriented CBT with NTX in the treatment of problem drinking,HIV- positive and -negative MSM, to evaluate their efficacy alone and in combination. We also propose to utilize new data collection technology, Interactive Voice Response, to collect data on daily relations among drinking, sexual behavior and psychological variables thought to mediate treatment response. Our objectives are to: 1) enroll a sample of 240 problem drinking MSM using active and passive recruitment strategies;2) evaluate the efficacy of 12 weeks of randomly assigned treatment, with 50 mg of NTX or placebo, combined with modified, behavioral self-control therapy or brief supportive therapy;3) evaluate conditional relationships between heavy drinking and likelihood of HIV risk behavior;4) evaluate daily associations among mood, craving, self-efficacy, motivation, and drinking. Assessments will include baseline, 3, 6, &9 month follow-up. This application is of tremendous relevance to alcoholism treatment and HIV prevention. First, we will evaluate established treatments for problem drinking in an under-studied but unique population, namely MSM. Second, we will examine the impact of alcohol-focused treatment on HIV risk behavior in a very high- risk population. Third, we will use new data collection technology to examine complex relationships among drinking, HIV risk, and psychological factors to better inform future interventions.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA015553-05
Application #
7799119
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1-CC (47))
Program Officer
Litten, Raye Z
Project Start
2006-04-01
Project End
2012-03-31
Budget Start
2010-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$518,661
Indirect Cost
Name
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
167204994
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
Mereish, Ethan H; Kuerbis, Alexis; Morgenstern, Jon (2018) A daily diary study of stressful and positive events, alcohol use, and addiction severity among heavy drinking sexual minority men. Drug Alcohol Depend 187:149-154
Kuerbis, Alexis Noel; Schaumberg, Katherine; Davis, Christine M et al. (2014) Unpacking personalized feedback: an exploratory study of the impact of its components and the reactions it elicits among problem drinking men who have sex with men. Subst Use Misuse 49:383-94
Chen, Andrew C H; Davis, Christine M; Kahler, Christopher W et al. (2014) 5-HTTLPR moderates naltrexone and psychosocial treatment responses in heavy drinking men who have sex with men. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 38:2362-8
Schaumberg, Katherine; Kuerbis, Alexis; Morgenstern, Jon et al. (2013) Attributions of change and self-efficacy in a randomized controlled trial of medication and psychotherapy for problem drinking. Behav Ther 44:88-99
Morgenstern, Jon; Kuerbis, Alexis N; Chen, Andrew C et al. (2012) A randomized clinical trial of naltrexone and behavioral therapy for problem drinking men who have sex with men. J Consult Clin Psychol 80:863-75