Talk:Crystal methamphetamine and sex

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This article is just a little too gossipy It has a strong bias against homosexuality, drug use, and has condescending tone and a patronizing undercurrent. If we all started writing articles like this, Wikipedia would become a cest pool of badly written material and we wouldn't be able to effectively practice freedom of speech. Regardless, giving in to the temptation of writing sensational press articles, how about: 'Crystal methamphetamine and truck drivers' 'Crystal methamphetamine and single mothers' 'Crystal methamphetamine and illegal immigrants'

OR, just to step it up a little

'Crystal methamphetamine and AIDS'

OK, you get the idea. With a little spin we can single out a given group, stuff them into a drawer, and lock up. Out of sight, out of mind. The tragedy is that problems like these will cannot be solved, regardless of what the government wants you to believe. So sorry




Contents

[edit] Name, etc.

Shouldn't the name of this article be Methamphetamines and sex rather than using the more slang "Crystal" in the title? I know that most of the problems revolve around crystal's usage by gay men and the spread of STD's and AIDs, but is there much research about its effects among the hetero population? Otherwise, very good article! Ganymead 17:09, 18 May 2005 (UTC)

Part 1: Ok, well it took me a while to decide what to call the article. I settled on "Crystal and sex" because it seems to me that that's the most common phrase associated with the topic. In the early 90s in LA there were fridge magnets stuck to all the lamp posts (I had one until just recently) with that title, and they talked about the dangers and gave resources. Recent articles in various publications have used the title, too. I think we could redirect from Methamphetamine and sex, though.


Part 3: I'm sure that something more about non-gay Crystal and sex could be added; I was hoping for just that, actually, which is why I didn't name the article "Crystal and gay sex" (or similar).
I have a lot more to add; this is really a work in progress. But I'd love to see contributions from others as well.
Exploding Boy 20:02, May 18, 2005 (UTC)


The article should be titled "Methamphetamines and sex" or something similar. The main article on methamphetamine is titled "Methamphetamine," even though it is commonly known as meth or crystal meth. The title should be changed and have "crystal and sex" and similar wordings redirect to it --Crucible Guardian 5 July 2005 03:21 (UTC)

I agree with Crucible Guardian. --Canar 16:06, 31 October 2005 (UTC)


There is a common misconception that there are different forms of d-methamphetamine. You'll even see nonsense like crystal is the most potent and sought after. It is a salt of an organic base therefore it is crystalline. After synthesis, before it is broken up, it is typically big rocks of salt.

[edit] Rampant POV

I'm disputing the neutrality of this article.

This article has rampant homophobic POV and gross generalizations about gay men with little evidence in support. A few legitimate studies are cited but most footnotes are to pro-drug war anecdotal accounts of gay men who used meth.

Two out of the three sections deal explicitly and exclusively with gay men, and the third is heavily geared towards gay men. Methamphetamine can lead to promiscuity in women as well—causing many similar societal problems—but you wouldn't know it from reading this article.

Proposed steps that need to be taken:

  • Merge first two sections into one that deals only with methamphetamine addiction's effect on the gay community. Eliminate the hysterical anti-gay promiscuity claims ("Many gay Crystal users use the Internet to meet sex partners. Some users spend hours online arranging sexual encounters with large numbers of strangers; such encounters can last for days at a time, with a constant stream of men participating.").
  • Expand on the effect of methamphetamine addiction on heterosexuals. Sex in exchange for meth, outright prostitution, promiscuity while high, etc. Heterosexuals get infected with HIV as well.
  • Alternately, change the title of the article to something like "Methamphetamine and Gay Men". It still wouldn't be NPOV but it would at least describe your aims better.

--Bk0 23:47, 25 May 2005 (UTC)

  • Get your facts right. Sex is not a big thing among heterosexuals and crystal. Crystal is not the second plague on the gay community. Don't go screaming homophobia at anything you deem unpalatable. Although I didn't participate in this article, I'm certain gay men wrote it. ℬastique▼talk 01:52, 26 May 2005 (UTC)

I have to agree. This article is a work in progress. Reading the very small talk page would have answered many of your questions. Since I wrote it nearly single handedly, you could have talked to me about it as well.

1. The article is not rampantly homophobic and POV. I'm gay. I'm not a homphobe. I've quoted from various sources. The effects are well documented.

2. As I mention above, additions on the effects of crystal use on heterosexuals are welcomed and specifically sought.

3. The supposedly hysterical and anti-gay claims come from gay users of crystal and are cited in many sources. Hey. I don't like it either. It makes gay men look pretty damn bad. But those are the facts.

4. Once again, I agree that we need more information on heterosexual users.

Exploding Boy 02:26, May 26, 2005 (UTC)


Given that this user hasn't been around since slapping his NPOV tag on the article 11 days ago, I'm removing it. Exploding Boy 22:14, Jun 5, 2005 (UTC)


Exactly. Denying that crystal methamphetamine use is not a problem predominantly among gays is the same as arguing against crack cocaine's predominance in the poor black communities in the 80s. This is not a homophobic generalization, this is a fact backed by numerous statistics.

[edit] No, Meth More Primarily a "Redneck" Problem

Well, I think the above commentators' perceptions are limited as crystal meth use is a massive problem in the heartland of America among poor and working class people, people almost wholly outside the realm of computerland. The jails and prisons are full of them as are the family courts and social service agencies-with them and their children. Moreover, our gangs are increasingly focused on this trade. Yes, this problem as it exists among gays has gotten a certain amount of attention in more upscale communities where straight people may not in fact use this drug as much. I was surprised when I first read about this in the New Yorker last year, being struck by this as evidence as how far meth use had travelled if it had actually taken hold among urban sophisticates-a distant province for this scourge to have arrived at-like when the plague arrived on the shores of England. No, looking at society as a whole, meth use is not primarily concetrated among urban gays but rather is, if anything, most rampant among the rural underclass ('poor man's coke') where many labs exist and where the most virulent effects of it can be seen. The Portland Oregonian recently had a feature article on this featuring wrecked trailers, abandoned children and "tweaker" twentysomethings with most of their teeth gone ("meth mouth"). I work in the courts on almost a daily basis and have dealt with literally hundreds of meth cases and I can only recall a few that involved gay people. No, methamphetamine is not a problem primarily among gays, anymore than alcoholism is. That is not to say that these problems do not exist in that community. The sad truth is that meth use is an epidemic that is sweeping across a wide section of our society and has been for some time increasingly associated-with its surge in libido-with heterosexual promiscuity, even sex crimes, and family breakup, together with erratic and violent behavior, among poor-and soon to be poor-whites. A good overview of this problem was provided by the PBS Frontline series on this topic. [[1]]Tom Cod 03:03, 4 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] NPOV

It may interest the objector above to know that the problem of gay men, Crystal and sex was mentioned on a recent episode of Law and Order: Special Victim's Unit in a storyline about men on the down low. I put it to you that your NPOV tag, along with the claims you've made here, is unfounded, and suggest that it be removed. Exploding Boy 00:41, Jun 1, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Page move

There was no discussion of this move. Personally, I disagree with it. "Crystal and sex" is by far and away the more common phrase; if you were going to move the page, "Crystal methamphetamine and sex" would have been the better choice. I think it should have stayed where it was. Exploding Boy 15:21, Jun 1, 2005 (UTC)

I don't know what the page was moved to (I can't see a reference to it in the history), but I'd suggest that Crystal meth and sex or Crystal methamphetamine and sex would still be better titles than Crystal and sex. Certainly in British English, crystal meth would be a more common (and encyclopædic) term than just crystal. — OwenBlacker 21:46, July 24, 2005 (UTC)


I've moved it to the seemingly neutral "Crystal methamphetamine and sex". I know I should generally discuss before moving, but I see a couple recommendations for it on this page and I think it's a very nice compromise between the common usage of "Crystal and sex" and the technically correct title "Methamphetamine and sex". It also no longer sounds like a pornographic film :p – Quoth 00:50, 1 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Factual accuracy

This article does not follow the encyclopedic standards. It should be be radically reedited and backed up with genuine scientific sources or simply removed. In current form it looks like some kind of anti-gay or anti-meth propaganda copied directly from http://www.lifeormeth.com/ without any conscious verification.

  1. The connection between "crystal methamphetamine" and sex is weird, as amphetamines are known to cause erectile disfunction. Where's the scientific evidence that meth increases the need for sex ? (Comment from another observer here: Although ED is indeed one of the effects, the overall effect is a manifold increase in the urge for sex....im sure scientific evidence exists, or perhaps mere observation of obviously randy imbibers will confirm this to even the most skeptical)

Meth does tend to cause erectile disfunction and it does tend to increase sexual drive/intensity of sex.

  1. Half of the "references" do not lead anywhere except for the main page of http://www.lifeormeth.com/, which doesn't even contain any information unless one has Flash player installed. It's about as useful as refering to the website with most information about meth of all .

This website (After having a good look at it) is odviously biased and pushing its own cause (Its owned by an anti drugs actavist). This leads it to make false claims EG the picture they claim is a brain IS NOT a brain. This site I believe should not be used at all. Improper use of stats and data (which tend to be anti homosexual in nature)is also used and it can not be taken as a suitable source of information.

  1. The other half of "references" lead to articles in random newspapers, not any solid scientific evidence. Reliability of homosexuality and drugs related information in typical popular newspapers in known to be very low.
  2. The article is using biased language. For example what's the purpose of this sentence:
It is estimated that up to 40% of gay men in San Francisco have tried crystal, and that across America more gay men are addicted to crystal meth today than those that died of AIDS throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Taw 07:55, 7 December 2005 (UTC) Being a recovering methamphetamine addict, and a gay male at that, I appreciate the candid nature of this article. However, I do believe it could use some factual backup, i.e., real references, ones that wold be accepted in a college. Also, the constant use of slang terminology does nothing for the understanding that we're talking about d-methamphetamine...crissy, tina, tweak...the terminology changes from locale to locale...who knows what John Q. Methaddict in Kansas calls it. Finally, I'm not offended by the depiction of gay men in this article...I find what was said to be largely true. However, some detachment and a revised point of view might be helpful in getting a good, purposeful message across.;

[edit] Article problems

I just quickly scanned the article, and it appears that some malicious user has made small changes throughout the article, making portions inaccurate or completely false (eg: the bit about crystal users being more likely to fall in love with HIV+ men than non-users). I've been looking through the history, but can't pinpoint which user it was; still, this needs fixing. Can anyone help? Exploding Boy 22:40, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

It was an anon a long time ago, the person fixing it missed the change: [2] Night Gyr 06:43, 27 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Crystal Meth & Nazis

I've been reading that Hitler gave his troops Meth and that it caused "unnatural sex acts" (?) I believe that refers to the issue of homosexuality, and ordinary heterosexuals engaging in homosexuality during a war situation exacerbated by meth.

In addition I read that it made the troops "unruly". I'm pretty sure I read this all at wikipedia somewhere in the Hitler sections, or Hitler drug sections.

Actually both methamphetamine and amphetamine were used by americans, british, german and japanese soldiers during WWII. Right after the end of the war methamphetamine was banned in japan (can be backed up by googling) becouse the military supplies were diverted to the civilian market, leading in an outburst of methamphetamine adiction. (i'd like to read a japanese source on this one). American and british use of METHamphetamine is harder to verify, tho its quite hard to believe that with the Axis using them on their soldiers, the allies did not. American use of amphetamine, however, is published everywhere, even on pages hosted on American military webservers.66.60.28.218 06:49, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
Yes, it was supposedly dispensed by the Nazis for use by German troops on the Russian Front, most notably during the battle of Stalingrad. An article I read in an Arkansas newspaper in 1995 stated that meth had been synthasized by a graduate student in Chemistry at UC Berkeley in the 1930s who later moved to the Ozarks and began manufacturing illegally and was later busted but that agents of the Third Reich operating out of the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. had gotten ahold of this formula. Later it was allegedly given to U.S. troops in Vietnam. Tom Cod 06:49, 4 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] references

Responding to the request for references, attached are all the relevent Pubmed (i.e. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?DB=pubmed) references (abstracts only) to articles published in 2006 from a search on June 24, 2006, searching for the compound phrase "methamphetamine AND (hiv OR aids)". For all years 181 articles were retrieved, i.e. many more were published in 2005.

Please edit or append to the article as necessary.

1: AIDS Behav. 2006 Jun 15; [Epub ahead of print]

Intentional Unprotected Anal Intercourse among Sex Who have Sex with Men: Barebacking-from Behavior to Identity.

Parsons JT, Bimbi DS.

Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY, 10021, USA.

Unprotected sex among gay/bisexual men throughout the AIDS epidemic has usually been described as unintentional due to a relapse from safer sex behavior. The term "barebacking" emerged among HIV-positive men explicitly seeking unprotected sex with seroconcordant partners, but has come into use in the larger gay community to simply mean condomless sex. Some men have also taken on the identity as a "barebacker." The present study assessed prevalence and predictors of bareback identity in a sample 687 gay/bisexual men attending community events. Barebackers reported significantly more use of crystal methamphetamine and higher peer norms for unprotected sex; HIV-negative barebackers were higher in sexual compulsivity while HIV-positive barebackers were higher in romantic obsession as well as drug/alcohol influenced sexual expectancies. HIV prevention efforts targeting barebackers and barebacking must be carefully developed if programs and campaigns are to be effective given the open debates about this phenomenon in the gay community.

PMID: 16775771 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

2: Drug Alcohol Depend. 2006 Apr;82 Suppl 1:S85-93.

Drug use and risk of HIV/AIDS on the Mexico-USA border: a comparison of treatment admissions in both countries.

Maxwell JC, Cravioto P, Galvan F, Ramirez MC, Wallisch LS, Spence RT.

School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1717 West 6th Street, Suite 335, Austin, TX 78703, USA. jcmaxwell@mail.utexas.edu

This study analyzes trends in treatment admissions and summarizes HIV/AIDS risk factors along the US-Mexican border. Data are presented at the national level and at the state level for states along the border. Client data also are compared for treatment programs located in sister cities on the Texas-Mexico border. These data show that methamphetamine admissions are increasing nationally and methamphetamine use is a major problem in the western states on both sides of the border. Use of Ice (smoked methamphetamine) has increased significantly. Use of crack (smoked cocaine) is a growing problem on the border, and injection is the primary route for using black tar heroin in this area. Each of these drugs is a risk factor, either from drug-influenced risky sexual behaviors or from sharing injection equipment. In addition, the availability of drugs on the border and patterns of risky behaviors among migrants mean that drug users on the border are at risk of HIV/AIDS, and this risk is expected to increase with the spreading methamphetamine epidemic and smoking of crack cocaine. Comparable data on HIV/AIDS are needed for further studies of the relationship of drug use and HIV/AIDS on the border.

PMID: 16769452 [PubMed - in process]

3: AIDS Behav. 2006 Jun 6; [Epub ahead of print]

Sexual Compulsivity in a Sample of HIV-Positive Methamphetamine-using Gay and Bisexual Men.

Semple SJ, Zians J, Grant I, Patterson TL.

Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California, 92093-0680, USA.

Little research has been done on the relationship between sexual compulsivity and the sexual risk behaviors of methamphetamine (meth) users. This exploratory study sought to identify correlates of sexual compulsivity in a sample of 217 HIV-positive meth-using gay and bisexual men. Participants reported a mean score of 2.4 on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS) (SD=.76, range 1-4). Sexual compulsivity was positively associated with high-risk sexual behaviors (e.g., number of unprotected sex acts with anonymous partners, total number of HIV-negative or unknown serostatus partners). In multivariate analyses, higher scores on sexual compulsivity were associated with older age, meth use before or during sex, visits to sex clubs and street corners to find sex partners, lower self-efficacy for condom use, lower levels of self-esteem, higher scores on a measure of disinhibition, and a greater number of HIV-negative or unknown serostatus partners. The results suggest that more attention should be focused on sexual compulsivity and its correlates to determine how they may contribute to resistance to sexual behavior change in this high-risk population.

PMID: 16755406 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

4: J Urban Health. 2006 May;83(3):497-505.

Sexual and Injection Risk among Women who Inject Methamphetamine in San Francisco.

Lorvick J, Martinez A, Gee L, Kral AH.

Urban Health Program, RTI International, 28-2nd Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA, 94105, USA, jlorvick@rti.org.

Methamphetamine (MA) use is on the rise in the United States, with many cities reporting increases of 100% or more in MA-related Emergency Department (ED) mentions. Women are keeping pace with this trend: in 2003, 40% of ED mentions and 45% of MA-related treatment admissions were female. Although there have been extensive examinations of MA use and HIV/STI risk among gay men in recent years, literature regarding female MA users is scarce. This paper examines female methamphetamine injectors in San Francisco, CA, from 2003-2005. We assessed sexual and injection related risk behaviors, comparing female MA injectors to female injectors of other drugs. We also examined whether MA use was independently associated with specific sexual and injection risk behaviors. We found that female MA injectors were significantly more likely than non-MA injectors to report unprotected anal intercourse, multiple sexual partners, receptive syringe sharing and sharing of syringes with more than one person in the past six months. In multivariate analysis, MA use among female injectors was significantly associated with anal sex, more than five sexual partners, receptive syringe sharing, and more than one syringe-sharing partner in the past six months. Deeper exploration of the relationship between MA use and sexual risk among women would benefit HIV/STI prevention efforts. In addition, existing interventions for drug-injecting women may need to be adapted to better meet the risks of female MA injectors.

PMID: 16739050 [PubMed - in process]

5: Harm Reduct J. 2006 May 24;3:18.

Evaluating methamphetamine use and risks of injection initiation among street youth: the ARYS study.

Wood E, Stoltz JA, Montaner JS, Kerr T.

British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St, Paul's Hospital, 608 - 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada. ewood@cfenet.ubc.ca.

ABSTRACT : Many Canadian cities are experiencing ongoing infectious disease and overdose epidemics among injection drug users (IDU). These health concerns have recently been exacerbated by the increasing availability and use of methamphetamine. The challenges of reducing health-related harms among IDU have led to an increased recognition that strategies to prevent initiation into injection drug use must receive renewed focus. In an effort to better explore the factors that may protect against or facilitate entry into injection drug use, the At Risk Youth Study (ARYS) has recently been initiated in Vancouver, Canada. The local setting is unique due to the significant infrastructure that has been put in place to reduce HIV transmission among active IDU. The ARYS study will seek to examine the impact of these programs, if any, on non-injection drug users. In addition, Vancouver has been the site of widespread use of methamphetamine in general and has seen a substantial increase in the use of crystal methamphetamine among street youth. Hence, the ARYS cohort is well positioned to examine the harms associated with methamphetamine use, including its potential role in facilitating initiation into injection drug use. This paper provides some background on the epidemiology of illicit drug use among street youth in North America and outlines the methodology of ARYS, a prospective cohort study of street youth in Vancouver, Canada.

PMID: 16723029 [PubMed - in process]

6: IAPAC Mon. 2005 Oct;11(10):297-9.

Crystal methamphetamine use and antiretroviral drug resistance: a pilot study of behavioral and clinical correlates.

Ghaziani A.

Publication Types:

   Newspaper Article

PMID: 16673497 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7: Sex Transm Infect. 2006 Apr;82(2):131-4.

Methamphetamine and sildenafil (Viagra) use are linked to unprotected receptive and insertive anal sex, respectively, in a sample of men who have sex with men.

Mansergh G, Shouse RL, Marks G, Guzman R, Rader M, Buchbinder S, Colfax GN.

CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-37, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. gcm2@cdc.gov

OBJECTIVES: There is evidence that methamphetamine and sildenafil (Viagra) use are associated with sexual risk behaviour among men who have sex with men (MSM). We investigated the association of methamphetamine, sildenafil, and other substance use with unprotected receptive and insertive anal sex among MSM by conducting an encounter specific analysis. METHODS: Data were from a cross sectional, community based survey of MSM in San Francisco regarding behaviour during their most recent anal sex encounter. Mulitvariate regression analysed independent associations of specific substance use and demographic variables with unprotected anal sex behaviours. RESULTS: The sample (n = 388) was diverse in race/ethnicity, age, income, education, HIV status, and homosexual/bisexual identification. More than half (53%) reported unprotected anal sex, including insertive (29%) and receptive (37%) during their most recent anal sex encounter; 12% reported unprotected insertive and 17% reported unprotected receptive anal sex with an HIV discordant or unknown partner. Methamphetamine was used by 15% and sildenafil was used by 6% of the men before or during the encounter; 2% used both drugs. In multivariate analysis controlling for demographic factors and other substance use, methamphetamine use was associated with unprotected receptive (odds ratio (OR), 2.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.09 to 3.76) and sildenafil use was associated with unprotected insertive (OR, 6.51; CI, 2.46 to 17.24) anal sex. Effects were stronger with HIV discordant or unknown sex partners specifically. CONCLUSION: Encounter specific associations of methamphetamine and sildenafil use with unprotected receptive and insertive anal sex, respectively, indicate the importance of assessment specificity and tailoring risk reduction efforts to address certain drugs and sexual behavioural roles among MSM.

PMID: 16581738 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8: AIDS Policy Law. 2006 Mar 10;21(5):2.

HIV and meth. Meth, deadly AIDS strain might be linked.

[No authors listed]

Publication Types:

   Newspaper Article

PMID: 16555395 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006 Mar 17;55(10):273-7.

Methamphetamine use and HIV risk behaviors among heterosexual men--preliminary results from five northern California counties, December 2001-November 2003.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive stimulant that gained widespread popularity in California in the 1980s and has since spread to most regions of the United States, including rural areas. Analyses of survey data among noninjection-drug users from California in the mid-1990s determined that, among heterosexual persons and among men who had sex with men (MSM), meth users reported more sex partners, were less likely to report condom use, and were more likely to report sex in exchange for money or drugs, sex with an injection-drug user, and history of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Subsequent studies among MSM have indicated an association between meth use and sexual risk behaviors, syphilis infection, and incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Subsequent studies among heterosexual populations have been less extensive than those among MSM and often have not used population-based samples nor adjusted for possible confounders. To further assess the association between meth use and high-risk sexual behaviors among heterosexual men, the California Department of Health Services, Office of AIDS, analyzed population-based data from five northern California counties in the HEY-Man (Health Evaluation in Young Men) Study. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which determined that recent meth use was associated with high-risk sexual behaviors, including sex with a casual or anonymous female partner, anal intercourse, and sex with an injection-drug user. The results suggest the need for states to consider including referrals to meth prevention and treatment programs in their HIV prevention programs and for broader assessment of the relation between meth use and high-risk sexual behaviors.

PMID: 16543881 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

10: Public Health Rep. 2006 Mar-Apr;121(2):127-32.

CDC consultation on methamphetamine use and sexual risk behavior for HIV/STD infection: summary and suggestions.

Mansergh G, Purcell DW, Stall R, McFarlane M, Semaan S, Valentine J, Valdiserri R.

Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Mailstop E37, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. gcm2@cdc.gov

In January 2005, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosted a national consultation of scientists, public health officials, and community service providers to address growing concerns about the association of methamphetamine use and sexual risk behavior for HIV/STD infection, which is well documented among men who have sex with men. The purpose of the consultation was to review a representation of the current state of the science and practice on the topic in order to reduce the situational link of methamphetamine use and sexual risk. A set of suggestions for future research and programs were developed by the participants. This article provides a summary of content and recommendations from the consultation, and not an exhaustive review of the literature.

Publication Types:

   Congresses

PMID: 16528944 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11: Sex Transm Dis. 2006 Apr;33(4):250-5.

Unsafe sexual behavior and correlates of risk in a probability sample of men who have sex with men in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Brewer DD, Golden MR, Handsfield HH.

Department of Medicine and the Center for AIDS and STD, University of Washington, and Public Health-Seattle & King County, Seattle, Washington 98115, USA. www.interscientific.net/contact.html

OBJECTIVE: To assess the levels and correlates of potential exposure to and transmission of HIV in a contemporary, community-based probability sample of men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: In 2003, 311 sexually active MSM participated in a random-digit dial telephone survey in Seattle neighborhoods with a high prevalence of MSM. The primary outcomes were potential exposure to and transmission of HIV, defined as unprotected anal intercourse with a man of opposite or unknown HIV status in the preceding 12 months. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of respondents reported being HIV-positive, 77% reported being HIV-negative, and 8% had not been tested. Of 241 HIV-negative MSM, 25 (10%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7-15%) were potentially exposed to HIV; among 45 HIV-positive MSM, 14 (31%; 95% CI, 20-46%) were potential HIV-transmitters. Among HIV-negative men, the strongest bivariate correlates of potential exposure to HIV were recent bacterial sexually transmitted disease (odds ratio [OR], 5.8), number of recent male sexual partners (OR, 1.01 per partner), recent sex at a bathhouse (OR, 9.1), and recent use of sildenafil (OR, 4.4), amyl nitrite (OR, 6.2), and methamphetamine (OR, 8.0). Among HIV-infected men, the strongest correlates of potential HIV transmission were recent use of amyl nitrite (OR, 3.1), number of recent male sex partners (OR, 1.07 per partner), and having a male spouse or domestic partner (OR, 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: Most MSM knew their HIV status and adopted safer sexual behaviors to reduce their risk of HIV acquisition or transmission. However, 10% of HIV-negative MSM and 31% of HIV-positive MSM recently engaged in behaviors that placed them at high risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV.

PMID: 16505748 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

12: AIDS Behav. 2006 Mar;10(2):185-90.

Additive deleterious effects of methamphetamine dependence and immunosuppression on neuropsychological functioning in HIV infection.

Carey CL, Woods SP, Rippeth JD, Gonzalez R, Heaton RK, Grant I.

Department of Psychiatry, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, San Diego State University and University of California-San Diego, 150 W. Washington Street, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.

Methamphetamine (MA) dependence and HIV infection are independently associated with cerebral dysfunction, especially within frontal-basal ganglia circuits. Recent evidence indicates that MA dependence has an additive effect on neuropsychological (NP) deficits associated with HIV infection. This study extends prior findings by examining the combined effects of MA dependence (MA+) and immunosuppression (i.e., CD4 lymphocyte count <200) on NP functioning in 284 HIV+ individuals. Prevalence of NP impairment was examined in four demographically comparable groups: (1) MA+/CD4 < 200; (2) MA+/CD4 > or = 200; (3) MA-/CD4 < 200; and (4) MA-/CD4 > or = 200. Results revealed that both MA dependence and immunosuppression were significant predictors of NP impairment. More importantly, additive effects were evident whereby the MA+/CD4 < 200 group exhibited the highest rate of NP impairment. Findings indicate that MA dependence conveys an additive deleterious impact on NP status in immunosuppressed persons with HIV infection, perhaps reflecting the combined effects of neuropathophysiological mechanisms in fronto-striatal circuits.

PMID: 16477511 [PubMed - in process]

13: Addict Behav. 2006 Feb 9; [Epub ahead of print]

GHB use among gay and bisexual men.

Halkitis PN, Palamar JJ.

Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies, New York University, United States.

The recreational use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has been relatively understudied, despite its popularity in gay communities. We examined the use of GHB in a sample of 450 club drug using gay and bisexual men. Of these, 29% indicated use of the substance in the recent past. GHB users were similar to those in the sample who reported no use along key demographic factors, although GHB users were more likely to identify as gay than bisexual and were slightly older. Poly-drug use was common, with close to half of GHB users combining with methamphetamine, MDMA, or ketamine; approximately one quarter also used GHB with alcohol. Participants reported that GHB was often used at nightclubs, circuit parties, sex parties, and sex clubs, with HIV-positive men more likely to use the substance in sexual contexts. Use of GHB is common among a certain subset of gay men despite warnings within the community about the potentially fatal effects of the substance, suggesting that more effort be given to educate drug using gay men about GHB.

PMID: 16472932 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

14: J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2006 Jan;28(1):29-42.

The effect of recent stimulant use on sustained attention in HIV-infected adults.

Levine AJ, Hardy DJ, Miller E, Castellon SA, Longshore D, Hinkin CH.

University of California, Los Angeles, Neuropsychiatric Institute, USA. ajlevine@mednet.ucla.edu

Evidence suggests that stimulant use may exacerbate the deleterious cognitive effects of HIV, and that it has similar neuropathological consequences. In the current study, we examined the effect of recent stimulant use on sustained attention in adults infected with HIV. The sample consisted of 23 non-drug users and 17 stimulant users (cocaine and/or methamphetamine), all who were HIV-positive. Drug use was determined via urine toxicology. Sustained attention was assessed with the Conners' Continuous Performance Task--second edition (CPT-II). Groups were compared on overall performance variables, as well as patterns of performance across time. Compared to the non-drug users, stimulant users showed a gradual increase in reaction time variability and omission errors. Stimulant users' scores indicated impaired vigilance relative to an age and gender-matched normative sample. The groups were equivalent on other measures of attention, global neuropsychological functioning, mood, and demographic variables. The results indicate that recent stimulant use among HIV-infected adults adversely affects sustained attention.

PMID: 16448974 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

15: Mayo Clin Proc. 2006 Jan;81(1):77-84.

Comment in:

   Mayo Clin Proc. 2006 Apr;81(4):568-9; author reply 569.

Methamphetamine abuse: a perfect storm of complications.

Lineberry TW, Bostwick JM.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. lineberry.timothy@mayo.edu

Previously restricted primarily to Hawaii and California, methamphetamine abuse has reached epidemic proportions throughout the United States during the past decade, specifically in rural and semirural areas. Particular characteristics of methamphetamine production and use create conditions for a "perfect storm" of medical and social complications. Unlike imported recreational drugs such as heroin and cocaine, methamphetamine can be manufactured locally from commonly available household ingredients according to simple recipes readily available on the Internet. Methamphetamine users and producers are frequently one and the same, resulting in both physical and environmental consequences. Users experience emergent, acute, subacute, and chronic injuries to neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, dental, and other systems. Producers can sustain life-threatening injuries in the frequent fires and explosions that result when volatile chemicals are combined. Partners and children of producers, as well as unsuspecting first responders to a crisis, are exposed to toxic by-products of methamphetamine manufacture that contaminate the places that serve simultaneously as "lab" and home. From the vantage point of a local emergency department, this article reviews the range of medical and social consequences that radiate from a single hypothetical methamphetamine-associated incident.

Publication Types:

   Case Reports

PMID: 16438482 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

16: Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2005 Nov;2(4):194-9.

The methamphetamine epidemic: implications for HIV prevention and treatment.

Colfax G, Shoptaw S.

San Francisco Department of Public Health, 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 710, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA. grant.colfax@sfdph.org.

Methamphetamine and related amphetamine compounds are among the most commonly used illicit drugs, with over 35 million users worldwide. In the United States, admissions for methamphetamine treatment have increased dramatically over the past 10 years. Methamphetamine use is prevalent among persons with HIV infection and persons at risk for HIV, particularly among men who have sex with men. In addition to being associated with increased sexual risk behavior, methamphetamine causes significant medical morbidity, including neurologic deficits, cardiovascular compromise, dental decay, and skin infections, all of which may be worsened in the presence of HIV/AIDS. Methamphetamine use may also result in decreased medication adherence, particularly during "binging" episodes. Behavioral counseling remains the standard of treatment for methamphetamine dependence, although the effectiveness of most counseling interventions has not been rigorously tested. Pharmacologic and structural interventions may prove valuable additional interventions to reduce methamphetamine use.

Publication Types:

   Review

PMID: 16343378 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[edit] Factual accuracy

I did some rather radical removal of unsourced or badly sourced material, but the article is still not ok.

Instead I added actual links to real studies on PubMed. I could find some studies showing association with unsafe sex and STDs (linked from the article).

On the other hand I couldn't find any source for these claims:

  • Crystal use is particularly associated with young urban gay men
  • Among the effects (of crystal meth) is an increase in the need and urgency for sex, the ability to have sex for extended periods (hours or even days), and an inability to ejaculate or reach orgasm or physical release

Now, could someone please find some studies which back them ? Or should we remove them ? Taw 12:16, 1 July 2006 (UTC)


Additional (indirect) reference for the gay-meth-unsafe connection [3] http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=45855

from the article "Studies have found that methamphetamine use among gay and bisexual men is up to ten times higher than in the general population. A 2003 study by the Chicago Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that approximately 10% of gay men had used methamphetamine at least once in the previous year, compared with 0.7% of the general US population. Of those gay men who reported using meth, 20% were using at least once per week. Another study found that 20% of young gay and bisexual men had used crystal meth in the previous six months, with 6% reporting daily use."

I will try to track down a better URL for this. Also I will ask the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association to take a hand in the editing of this article.

One problem with this important article is that it is trying to do too much in its title. On the other hand, I can't think of a better one.
There is a clear phenomenon we would like prominently included in Wikipedia, which documents something like "highly unsafe sex facilitated by crystal meth use, particularly prominent within the gay culture, including club use and internet assignations". It is also important from the public health aspect of spreading highly virulent MDR strains of HIV. It is pretty well referenced, so that is not the problem. What should we call the main phenomenon and title the article or subsection about it? Where should we put it? How graphic should we make it? Suppose someone comes to Wikipedia via Google from a TV report and wants to know if it is all more or less true; what should they learn here?
Then there are all the other, less immediately dangerous aspects of "crystal meth and sex", which include I suppose prostitution, neurobiology, etc. They might be either other sub sub sections or to be included elsewhere etc.
I feel the earlier more vivid and well written versions of this article were much better than the current overly redacted version, although something like (my) recent medical literature references are good and should be kept. If we keep the forshortened version we now have, which I do not favor, at a minimum we might make reference via URL's to the earlier versions.
Even better might be some subsection or reference to allow subjective, less well documented, and even personal experience or testimony of some sort, maybe via a specialized Wiki or subwiki
Suggestions?

So we have links to high risk activity, to gay association, and to increased STD risk. The only thing that's still missing is the "increase in the need and urgency for sex, the ability to have sex for extended periods (hours or even days), and an inability to ejaculate or reach orgasm or physical release" (as opposed to simple erectile dysfunction) part. Anybody with a nice link ? Taw 17:57, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

Someone has recently added what appears to be an unreferenced troll. "In Australia, Hospital workers have reported having to restrain those admitted with Crystal Meth as to stop them from continually masturbating, resulting from there 'hypersexual' urges. In some cases both men and women would masturbate until there own genitals were injured, sometimes continually for hours on end." I have removed this until references are supplied Sigoldberg1 02:42, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Why?

Is there any reason why this article is even in existence?, maybe we can merge this with Methamphetamine, and create a section for this? Stevo D 05:27, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

I'm inclined to agree. Mzyxptlk 02:17, 27 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Information in this article

Rather than removing information wholesale, the correct procedure is to find proper sources. People have whittled away and whittled away at it until it became little more than a paragraph long, with nearly no information in it at all. Exploding Boy 05:36, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

In particular, I find the constant citation of Life Or Meth to be a bit worrisome. Surely some of these claims are documented elsewhere? Zetawoof(ζ) 05:59, 20 October 2006 (UTC)

In order to avoid simply going around in circles, I readded the refs to "(hiv OR aids) AND methamphetamine". Two problems: 1. Style- I need help fixing the url; I nderstand the pubmed format but not the wikipedia format 2. Substance - I could have just added 3 or 4 refs like those below, but the article was accused of bias, and I wanted also to reference the unbiased search. Otherwise no changes.

1: BETA. 2006 Summer;18(4):42-7. Methamphetamine and HIV. Huff B PMID: 17019790

2: Subst Use Misuse. 2006;41(10-12):1551-601.

   Club drugs as causal risk factors for HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men: a review.

Drumright LN, Patterson TL, Strathdee SA. Antiviral Research Center, University of California, San Diego, 92103, USA. ldrumrig@ucsd.edu PMID: 17002993

3: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2006 Nov 1;43(3):344-350.

   Unprotected Anal Intercourse and Substance Use Among Men Who Have Sex With Men With Recent HIV Infection.

Drumright LN, Little SJ, Strathdee SA, Slymen DJ, Araneta MR, Malcarne VL, Daar ES, Gorbach PM. PMID: 16980913

4: Drug Alcohol Depend. 2006 Aug 21;

Crystal methamphetamine: A source of added sexual risk for Hispanic men who have sex with men?

   Fernandez MI, Bowen GS, Warren JC, Ibanez GE, Hernandez N, Harper GW, Prado G

PMID: 16930858 Sigoldberg1 03:23, 5 November 2006 (UTC)

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