Acceptability of pharmacotherapy for hazardous alcohol use among men who have sex with men: Findings from a qualitative study

Addictive Behaviors Reports

Danielle Jennings¹  Tim Matheson²  Glenn-Milo Santos³  Jaclyn Hern⁴  Jason Euren⁴  Elaine Hsiang⁵ 

[1]Corresponding author at: University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, 513 Parnassus Avenue, Medical Student Center, S-245, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.

[2]Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA

[3]Metabiota, 425 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, USA

[4]Substance Use Research Unit, Center for Public Health Research, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA

[5]University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) experience high rates of binge drinking, alcohol use disorder (AUD), and alcohol-related health issues. Pharmacotherapy for AUD can reduce hazardous drinking, yet remains underutilized among MSM. This qualitative study examined knowledge and perceptions regarding AUD medications among MSM, with an emphasis on naltrexone. Methods: Three focus group discussions (FGDs) with MSM who consumed alcohol in the past year were conducted in February 2015 (N = 39) in the San Francisco Bay Area. The FGD guide generated discussions about hazardous drinking, the social contexts of drinking, and alcohol reduction and cessation options, including pharmacotherapy. Interviews were analyzed via directed content analysis to codify themes. Results: For participants, drinking at LGBTQ bars was an important social activity. Many expressed interest in reducing alcohol use, but few had heard of pharmacotherapy for AUD. Potential uptake was limited by perceptions of disulfiram as the prototype medication, side effects associated with disulfiram, and concerns that medications do not address alcohol-related stigma or social drivers of drinking. Participants were more receptive to pharmacotherapy when presented with medication options that did not require abstinence. Participants reported being more likely to try pharmacotherapy as part of a peer group or treatment program. Conclusions: Efforts to increase the knowledge and availability of naltrexone and harm reduction approaches, while addressing addiction- and medication-related stigma, might improve pharmacotherapy uptake for AUD and decrease hazardous drinking among MSM for whom alcohol holds social significance. Keywords: Men who have sex with men, Pharmacotherapy, Alcohol, Substance use, Focus group

【 授权许可】

Unknown