We examined patients' attitudes toward HIV testing in the setting of acute
substance abuse treatment and determined the prevalence of offering routine
on-site testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in inpatient state-
funded detoxification centers in New England. Voluntary questionnaires were
administered to patients (N = 66 respondents) at the only two state-funded
inpatient drug detoxification treatment centers in Rhode Island, and a tel
ephone survey of all state-funded inpatient detoxification facilities acros
s the New England area was conducted. In New England, 17/38 (44.7%) of all
state-funded inpatient detoxification facilities did not routinely offer on
-site HIV testing to clients. Of participants, 97% responded positively to
the question, "Do you think HIV testing should be available to patients in
drug detoxification facilities such as this one?" There were 89% who report
ed that they would cope "about the same" or "better" with receiving a posit
ive HIV test result while in detoxification treatment versus elsewhere. The
greatest number of participants ranked the Orasure(R), HIV test, an assay
for HIV-1 transmucosal antibody, as the test they would most prefer while i
n drug treatment. However, 59% of patients responded that the type of test
offered would not make a difference in whether they chose testing. Most pat
ients indicated that they would want to see a physician within a few days o
f a positive diagnosis of HIV infection. Despite the controversy surroundin
g the provision of HIV testing to patients in inpatient acute substance abu
se treatment, HIV testing is desired among these patients provided that HIV
clinical care is readily available.