SUMMARY

HOLISTIC HEALTH RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR INJECTION DRUG USERS LIVING WITH HIV is a 12-session, manual-guided, group therapy intervention delivered over six weeks. This risk reduction and health promotion intervention is appropriate for use with drug users in a substance abuse treatment program, and it was designed to specifically address the special needs of injection drug users (IDUs) living with HIV. The primary goals of this intervention are harm reduction, health promotion, and improved quality of life. More specific objectives include abstinence from illicit drug use or from sexual risk behaviors, reduced drug use, reduced risk for HIV transmission, and improved medical, psychological, and social functioning.

The program.s effectiveness was originally investigated in a randomized clinical trial conducted with 90 injection drug users entering an inner-city methadone maintenance program in New Haven, CT. Participants were randomized into either HHRP+ or an enhanced standard of care control condition. All participants in the HHRP intervention received twice weekly manual-guided group therapy sessions co-facilitated by two substance abuse counselors. HHRP+ group participants showed greater reductions in heroin use during treatment, and at follow-up had fewer drug-related problems. In addition, intervention participants were less likely to have engaged in high-risk sexual behavior at the 9-month follow-up. Participants also reported better adherence to their antiretroviral medication during treatment.

SUITABLE FOR USE IN

This program is suitable for use with other adult, injection drug users living with HIV.

ORIGINAL INTERVENTION SAMPLE

Age, Gender
Mean age was 41 years old, 70% male / 30% female

Race/Ethnicity
48.9% African American, 35.5% Caucasian, 15.6% Hispanic

PROGRAM LENGTH

This is a 12-session program, delivered over 6 weeks. Each session is approximately 2 hours.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS/TRAINING

HOLISTIC HEALTH RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR INJECTION DRUG USERS LIVING WITH is delivered by substance abuse counselors. The Facilitator.s Manual provides detailed instructions and example scripts to help him implement the intervention.