The “Party Drug” Crystal Methamphetamine: Risk Factor for the Acquisition of HIV

The abuse of crystal methamphetamine (CM) has reached epidemic proportions in the US, with widespread health consequences for a wide segment of the population. Of US residents older than 12 years, almost 5% (12 million) have reported using CM at least once. Between 1993 and 2003, the rate of admissions for treatment for CM abuse in the US increased from 13 to 56 admissions per 100,000 individuals.1 CM, a stimulant street drug, is closely associated with party use in an attempt to increase the sociability of party participants. Its use is an independent risk factor for both acquisition of and propagation of HIV infection.2–4 To deal effectively with the effects of CM on patients, clinicians need to understand its use and its role in HIV risk, its neurobiologic effects, and some of the risk-intervention methods currently used with patients who abuse it.