Psychopathology and HIV risk behaviors among injection drug users in and out of treatment

To replicate prior descriptions of injection drug users (IDUs), 158 IDUs recruited via a street-outreach program were compared to 320 non-IDUs on measures of substance use, lifetime psychopathology, and HIV risk behavior. IDUs were more likely to receive a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, but not other psychiatric diagnoses, and to report dependence on multiple substances. IDUs reported more HIV risk behaviors, but perceived HIV risk did not differ from non-IDUs. Compared to IDUs who declined treatment, IDUs willing to accept treatment did not differ on drug-related problems, lifetime psychopathology, or perceived HIV risk.