Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Methamphetamine and Poly-Substance Use Among Gym-Attending Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methamphetamine and other drug use has been documented among men who have sex with men (MSM). Patterns of use may be influenced by point of recruitment into these studies.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to describe patterns of methamphetamine and other drug use and to delineate psychosocial and demographic factors which accompany these patterns of use in a sample of MSM attending gyms in New York City.

Methods

Active recruitment strategies were implemented to ascertain a sample of 311 MSM. Participants completed a one-time survey regarding both health risks and health promotion.

Results

Methamphetamine use in the last 6 months was reported by 23.8% of men. Inhalation and smoking were the most common modes of administration, and 84% of men reported more than one mode of use. Study participants also indicated a variety of other substances used, including but not limited to alcohol, inhalant nitrates, and 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Compared to nonusers, methamphetamine users were more likely to report being black or Latino, depressed, HIV-positive, perceiving more benefits of unprotected sex, and understanding masculinity in sexual terms.

Conclusions

These data suggest that health-risk behaviors are common among MSM who are regularly using a gym and are indicative of the complexities of health issues for this segment of the population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Halkitis PN, Green K, Mourgues P. Longitudinal investigation of methamphetamine use among gay and bisexual men in New York City: Findings from Project BUMPS. J Urban Health. 2005; 82: i18–i25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Purcell DW, Parsons JT, Halkitis PN, et al. Substance use and sexual transmission risk behavior of HIV-positive men who have sex with men. J Subst Abuse. 2001; 13: 185–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Stall R, Paul JP, Greenwood G, et al. Alcohol use, drug use and alcohol-related problems among men who have sex with men: The urban men’s health study. Addiction. 2001; 96: 1589–1601.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Halkitis PN, Parsons JT. Recreational drug use and HIV-risk sexual behavior among men frequenting gay social venues. J Gay Lesbian Soc Serv. 2002; 14: 19–38. (Special issue: Issues in Practice, Policy & Research).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Semple SJ, Patterson TJ, Grant I. Binge use of methamphetamine among HIV-positive men who have sex with men: Pilot data and HIV prevention implications. AIDS Educ Prev. 2003; 15: 133–147.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Halkitis PN, Fischgrund BN, Parsons JT. Explanations for methamphetamine use among gay and bisexual men in New York City. Subst Use Misuse. 2005; 40: 1331–1345. (Special Issue: Club Drug Epidemiology).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Halkitis PN, Green K, Carragher D. Methamphetamine use, sexual behavior and HIV seroconversion. J Gay Lesbian Psychother. 2006; 10: 95–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Halkitis PN, Parsons JT, Stirratt MJ. A double epidemic: Crystal methamphetamine drug use in relation to HIV transmission among gay men. J Homosex. 2001; 41: 17–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Halkitis PN, Shrem MT, Martin FW. Sexual behavior patterns of methamphetamine-using gay and bisexual men. Subst Use Misuse. 2005; 40: 703–719.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Jerome RC, Halkitis PN, Siconolfi DE. Club drug use, sexual behavior, and HIV seroconversion: A qualitative study on emotions. Substance Use and Misuse. (in press, 2007).

  11. Reback CJ, Grella CE. HIV risk behaviors of gay and bisexual male methamphetamine users contacted through street outreach. J Drug Issues. 1999; 29: 155–166.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Semple SJ, Patterson TJ, Grant I. Motivations associated with methamphetamine use among HIV+ men who have sex with men. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2002; 22: 149–156.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Colfax GN, Mansergh G, Guzman R, et al. Drug use and sexual risk behavior among gay and bisexual men who attend circuit parties: A venue-based comparison. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2001; 28: 373–379.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Guss JR. Sex like you can’t even imagine: “crystal,” crack and gay men. J Gay Lesbian Psychother. 2000; 3: 105–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Halkitis PN, Parsons JT, Wilton L. An exploratory study of contextual and situational factors related to methamphetamine use among gay and bisexual men in New York City. J Drug Issues. 2003; 33: 413–432.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Halkitis PN, Parsons JT, Wilton L. Barebacking among gay and bisexual men in New York City: Explanations for the emergence of intentional unsafe behavior. Arch Sex Behav. 2003; 32: 351–357.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Halkitis PN, Green K. Viagra use among poly-club drug using gay & bisexual men: The role of person and contextual factors. Am J Men’s Health. 2007; 1: 139–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Stall R, Mills TC, Williamson J, et al. Association of co-occurring psychosocial health problems and increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among urban men who have sex with men. Am J Public Health. 2003; 93: 939–942.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Office of Applied Statistics. The NSDUH report; methamphetamine use. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2007.

  20. Cochran SD, Ackerman D, Mays VM, et al. Prevalence of non-medical drug use and dependence among homosexually active men and women in the US population. Addiction. 2004; 99: 989–998.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Hirshfield S, Remien RH, Humberstone M, et al. Substance use and high-risk sex among men who have sex with men: A national online study in the USA. AIDS Care. 2004; 16: 1036–1047.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Fernández MI, Bowen GS, Varga LM, et al. High rates of club drug use and risky sexual practices among Hispanic men who have sex with men in Miami, Florida. Substance Use Misuse. 2005; 40: 1347–1362. (Special Issue: Club Drug Epidemiology).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Choi K, Operario D, Gregorich SE, et al. Substance use, substance choice, and unprotected anal intercourse among young Asian American and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men. AIDS Educ Prev. 2005; 17: 418–429. (Special Issue: HIV/AIDS among Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Shoptaw S, Peck J, Reback CJ, et al. Psychiatric and substance dependent comorbidities, sexually transmitted diseases, and risk behaviors among methamphetamine-dependent gay and bisexual men seeking outpatient drug abuse treatment. J Psychoact Drugs. 2003; 35: 161–168.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Lee SJ, Galanter M, Dermatis H, et al. Circuit parties and patterns of drug use in a subset of gay men. J Addict Dis. 2003; 22: 47–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Bolding G, Hart G, Sherr L, et al. Use of crystal methamphetamine among London gay men. Addiction. 2006; 101: 1622–1630.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Gribble JN, Miller HG, Rogers SM, et al. Interview mode and measurement of sexual behaviors: Methodological issues. J Sex Res. 1999; 36: 16–24. (Special Issue: Methods of inquiry about sex: New advances).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Tourangeau R, Smith TW. Asking sensitive questions: The impact of data collection mode, question format, and question context. Public Opin Q. 1996; 60: 275–304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Turner CF, Ku L, Rogers SM, et al. Adolescent sexual behavior, drug use, and violence: Increased reporting with computer survey technology. Science. 1998; 280: 867–873.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Derogatis LR, Melisaratos N. The brief symptom inventory: An introductory report. Psychol Med. 1983; 13: 595–605.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Russell DW. UCLA loneliness scale (version 3): Reliability, validity, and factor structure. J Pers Assess. 1996; 66: 20–40.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Halkitis PN, Shrem M. Psychological differences between binge and chronic methamphetamine using gay and bisexual men. Addict Behav. 2005; 31: 549–552.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Halkitis PN, Green KA, Wilton L. Masculinity, body image, and sexual behavior in HIV-seropositive gay men: A two-phase behavioral investigation using the internet. Int J Men’s Health. 2004; 3: 27–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Prochaska JO, Velicier WF, Rossi JS, et al. Stages of change and decisional balance for 12 problem behaviors. Health Psychol. 1994; 13: 39–46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Colliver JD, Gfroerer JC. Methamphetamine use, abuse, dependence and treatment: Survey findings, 2002–2004. 159th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. Toronto, Canada; 2006.

  36. Malebranche DJ. Black men who have sex with men and the HIV epidemic: Next steps for public health. Am J Public Health. 2003; 93: 862–865.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Mays VM, Cochran SD, Zamudio A. HIV prevention research: Are we meeting the needs of African American men who have sex with men? J Black Psychol. 2004; 30: 78–105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Wilton L, Halkitis PN, English G, et al. An exploratory study of barebacking, club drug use, and meanings of sex in Black and Latino gay and bisexual men in the age of AIDS. J Gay Lesbian Psychother. 2005; 9: 49–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Wallace BC. Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families: Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment for Community Mental Health Promotion. Connecticut: Greenwood; 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Zweben JE, Cohen JB, Christian D, et al. Psychiatric symptoms in methamphetamine users. Am J Addict. 2004; 13: 181–190.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Halkitis PN. An exploration of perceptions of masculinity among gay men living with HIV. J Men’s Stud. 2001; 9: 413–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a grant from the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene contract # 04SD59601R0X00.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Health, Identity, Behavior & Prevention Studies, The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, New York University, New York, USA

    Perry N. Halkitis Ph.D., M.S., Robert W. Moeller Ed.M., Daniel E. Siconolfi B.A. & Roy C. Jerome Ph.D.

  2. New York City Department Health & Mental Hygiene, New York, USA

    Meighan Rogers MPH & Julia Schillinger M.D.

  3. Office of Workforce and Career Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Meighan Rogers MPH

  4. Division of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Julia Schillinger M.D.

Authors
  1. Perry N. Halkitis Ph.D., M.S.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert W. Moeller Ed.M.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Daniel E. Siconolfi B.A.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roy C. Jerome Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Meighan Rogers MPH
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Julia Schillinger M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Perry N. Halkitis Ph.D., M.S..

Additional information

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

About this article

Cite this article

Halkitis, P.N., Moeller, R.W., Siconolfi, D.E. et al. Methamphetamine and Poly-Substance Use Among Gym-Attending Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City. ann. behav. med. 35, 41–48 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-007-9005-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-007-9005-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation