# Polysubstance use and mental health outcomes after substance abuse treatment among community-based men of color who have sex with men in Los Angeles living with and without HIV

> **NIH NIH R36** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2023 · $52,499

## Abstract

Project Abstract
This dissertation aims to better understand what substance use, treatment, and mental health
outcomes occur after men of color who have sex with men (MoCSM) who live in Los Angeles, CA
exit formal substance abuse treatment (SAT) programs, and if these outcomes vary across people
living with HIV (PWH) versus people living without HIV (PWOH). The objective of the research is
to identify which social and structural factors impede or foster positive SAT engagement,
substance use reduction, depression, and anxiety outcomes in order to promote a higher quality
of life for MoCSM in recovery. These goals will be met using data from the NIDA-funded mSTUDY
(U01 DA036267) prospective cohort of over 500 MoCSM in Los Angeles, approximately half of
whom are PWH, and will be accomplished through the following aims: Aim 1: Using longitudinal
data from a cohort of MoCSM (2014-2023), describe engagement in, exits, and re-entry into SAT.
Assess how sociodemographic factors, baseline substance use, and HIV status are associated
with SAT at baseline and during follow up. Aim 2: Evaluate changes in self-reported frequency of
methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol use among mSTUDY participants
who have exited substance abuse treatment up to 3 years post-treatment. Among people use
methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, tobacco, or alcohol at baseline, assess if people with prior
SAT use those substances at a lower frequency than people who have never been in treatment,
and if use outcomes vary by HIV status. Aim 3: Assess if there are differences in depression or
anxiety symptoms (respectively measured by CES-D 13 and GAD-7 14) following SAT among
people with and without prior SAT. Evaluate if these associations vary by HIV status. Among
people in recovery, assess if higher social support scores (measured by MSPSS 15) are
associated with improved depression and anxiety outcomes. Outcomes will be assessed across
4,319 study visits conducted across 129 men with prior SAT at baseline, 91 men who first entered
SAT during follow-up, and 358 men who use substances but have never received treatment.
Descriptive statistics and data visualization will be performed, and these outcomes will be
assessed through multinomial regression, logistic regression, and generalized estimating
equations, as appropriate, adjusting for relevant confounding factors. Through assessing the
understudied, longer-term mental health, treatment, and substance abuse factors following
substance abuse treatment, and analyzing the differences in these outcomes due to structural
factors, this dissertation will help understand what supports better recovery outcomes among
community-based MoCSM living with and without HIV in Los Angeles.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10838068
- **Project number:** 1R36DA060098-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Julia Jan Koerber
- **Activity code:** R36 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $52,499
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-09-30 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10838068

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10838068, Polysubstance use and mental health outcomes after substance abuse treatment among community-based men of color who have sex with men in Los Angeles living with and without HIV (1R36DA060098-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10838068. Licensed CC0.

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