Most individuals who have one substance use disorder also misuse multiple substances, leading to increased harm. We are investigating factors associated with polydrug use and associated comorbidities such as HIV infection, mental illness, and criminal justice involvement.
Ongoing Studies
Re-engagement in HIV care following hospitalization in Zambia (RE-CHARGE study)
(MPIs: Dr. Cassidy Claassen (University of Maryland) and Dr. Michael Vinikoor; R34MH122265-01A1)
For people with HIV in Zambia, inpatient mortality is high (15-20%); post-discharge mortality may be even higher (25-40%) due to the difficult transition of care, undiagnosed opportunistic infections, and the socioeconomic shocks of hospitalization. Substance use and mental health issues are also tied to hospitalizations and post-discharge challenges in this patient population. In this NIH R34, Dr. Vinikoor and his collaborators in Zambia will adapt and pilot-test an established community health worker intervention to provide post-discharge support to people with HIV. Community health workers will provide early outreach to discharged patients and their family and reinforce adherence to medication, screen and treat mental health symptoms, and help coordinate outpatient follow-up. If successful, a larger trial will be proposed to evaluate the effects of the adapted program on mortality.
Link to abstract in NIH ReporterLearn more about Michael Vinikoor
IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERVENTION ON MINORITY STRESS AND SUBSTANCE USE TO REDUCE HIV RISK IN TRANSGENDER PEOPLE
(PI: Dr. Caitlin Wolford Clevenger; Funding: Center for AIDS Research; P30AI027767)
This project seeks to identify opportunities to reduce HIV risk among transgender people in the Deep South. This study will first assess the awareness of, prioritization of, and barriers to HIV care in this community. Second, we will employ daily diary methods to examine whether minority stress experiences (e.g., violence, discrimination) and substance use (e.g., alcohol use) proximally amplify risk for engagement in HIV risk behaviors (e.g., HIV sex risk behavior). A secondary aim is to examine whether minority stress and substance use are related to negative beliefs about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and low uptake of and adherence to PrEP.
The Birmingham Youth Violence Study
(PI: Dr. Sylvie Mrug; U54MD000502)
This project has followed a community sample of youth from age 11 to age 28, focusing on risk and protective factors from individual, family, peer, school, and community domains for substance use and related mental health outcomes. The current wave of data collection at age 28 also includes DNA methylation and cardiometabolic biomarkers.
Link to abstract in NIH ReporterLearn more about Sylvie Mrug