IMPACT OF HIV RISK AND INFECTION ON DELIVERY OF PSYCHOSOCIAL TREATMENT SERVICES IN OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS

HIV risk and HIV infection have profoundly affected the delivery of ps ychosocial treatment services in outpatient drug treatment settings. F irst, HIV has changed the programmatic emphasis of out-patient treatme nt, from the intake process through the goals of care, and treatment p rogram staff are being altered significantly. Second, HIV brings with it a pull to extend the reach of drug abuse treatment to the sexual pa rtners and families of patients. Finally, for community and statewide planners, a debate is emerging between the idea that programs should p rovide high-quality services to a few targeted ''high risk'' or ''vita l category'' patients versus providing minimal services to as many dru g abusers as possible. There is a vital need for research studies that will add data to the decision-making process, at both the policy and programmatic levels. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.