Depressive symptoms, substance use and HIV-related high risk behaviors among opioid-dependent individuals: Results from the Clinical Trials Network.

This article reports on an ancillary investigation of data from protocols CTN-0001 and CTN-0002 (Buprenorphine/Naloxone versus Clonidine for Inpatient/Outpatient Opiate Detoxification). The sample included 343 opioid-dependent adults enrolled in the protocols. Researchers examined associations between depressive symptoms, co-occurring substance use (i.e., the use of substances other than opioids), and HIV-related sexual and injection risk behaviors. Data were collected using the Addiction Severity Index and the HIV Risk Behavior Scale, and analyzed using linear regression. Depressive symptoms were associated with an increased level of injection risk behaviors but were not associated with risky sexual behaviors. The co-occurring use of amphetamines also increased the likelihood of risky sexual behaviors.

Conclusions: Treatment of depression can make a contribution to decreasing injection risk among opioid-dependent injection drug users, especially if combined with other risk reduction interventions. This study also revealed that noninjecting amphetamine use was independently associated with sexual risk behaviors among opioid-dependent individuals.

Supported by the Duke Clinical Research Institute (CTN DSC 1).

Related protocols: CTN-0001, CTN-0002