HEALTHCALL: BRIEF INTERVENTION TO REDUCE DRUG USE IN HIV PRIMARY CARE

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:  AHARANOVICH, EFRAT

GRANT NUMBER: R01 DA024606-05S1

ABSTRACT:  Alcohol has been termed “the forgotten drug” of the HIV epidemic9. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS)10 identifies alcohol problems as an important challenge in those with HIV11. Liver disease is a leading cause of morbidity12,13 and mortality14-16 among HIV patients due to prolonged heavy drinking17. Ethanol is also associated with immunosuppression4,18-21. Data from R01DA024606 show that over 41% of the patients meeting eligibility criteria are also binge drinkers. Intervention for NIDU in patients who are also binge drinkers may not be effective if it does not also address the binge drinking. However, the current version of MI+HealthCall for NIDU patients does not address binge drinking at all. We therefore propose an administrative supplement to expand MI+HealthCall targeting NIDU to also target binge drinking, and to test the feasibility of this adaptation. This will entail (a) adapting the NIDU version of MI to target both binge drinking and NIDU, (b) adapting the NIDU version of HealthCall to target binge drinking and NIDU, (c) updating the technology platform from IVR to smartphone, and (d) conducting a pilot study of the adapted intervention.

 

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