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    "Slowed right down": Insights into the use of alcohol from research with Aboriginal Australians living with HIV

    160709_160709.pdf (129.2Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Thompson, Sandra
    Bonar, Maria
    Greville, Heath
    Bessarab, Dawn
    Gilles, Marissa
    D'antoine, Heather
    Maycock, Bruce
    Date
    2009
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Thompson, Sandra and Bonar, Maria and Greville, Heath and Bessarab, Dawn and Gilles, Marissa T. and D'antoine, Heather and Maycock, Bruce. 2009. "Slowed right down": Insights into the use of alcohol from research with Aboriginal Australians living with HIV. International Journal of Drug Policy. 20 (2): pp. 101-110.
    Source Title
    International Journal of Drug Policy
    DOI
    10.1016/j.drugpo.2008.02.003
    ISSN
    0955-3959
    School
    Centre for International Health (Curtin Research Centre)
    Remarks

    NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in the International Journal of Drug Policy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in International Journal of Drug Policy, 20, 2, 2009 DOI 10.1016/j.drugpo.2008.02.003

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/45815
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Objective. To describe the role that alcohol plays in the lives of Aboriginal people living with HIV in Western Australia. Methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between February and September 2003 with 20 Aboriginal people who were HIV-positive; almost half the total number of Aboriginal people known to be living with HIV in Western Australia at that time. The main purpose of the study was to document their experiences of living with HIV and aspects of health service delivery.Results. Drinking emerged as a key theme in the majority of interviews. Alcohol had a major role in disinhibition and risk-taking behaviour of both the participants and those they socialised with. It was perceived as a commodity, a way of altering reality, and a pathway through which social connection was maintained and was central to the common narratives of loss, chaos and transformation. Post-diagnosis, alcohol helped with disclosure and temporary blunting of distress as a result of the HIV diagnosis. It also contributed to a lack of capacity to comply with anti-retroviral therapy although narratives also included personal growth and restoration of physical health. Conclusions. Effective strategies to reduce risk of STIs and HIV and prevent other health problems need to address substance use issues but this also requires amelioration of the structural inequalities that make minority groups vulnerable.

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