Click “Register” to access recording
Recorded on 11/10/2025.
Title: It’s Much More Than Just Self-Medication: The Very Complicated Relationship between PTSD and Substance Misuse in Persons with HIV/AIDS
Speaker:
Brian L. Meyer, Ph.D.
Psychology Program Manager and Supervisor
Mental Health Services
Central Virginia VA Health Care System
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Description:
It is very common for people with HIV/AIDS to have histories of trauma, PTSD, and substance misuse. We commonly say that our clients use drugs and/or alcohol to self-medicate. However, when we look at the research, many of them started their substance misuse before they experienced trauma and developed PTSD and HIV/AIDS. Moreover, when we ask them the purpose of their substance use, they give us many answers, not just one, and sometimes they don’t even mention self-medication. This presentation examines the very complicated relationship between PTSD and substance misuse in people with HIV/AIDS in order to help us provide more effective treatment for our clients. It also proposes how to assess our patients to ensure that we are treating all of their underlying reasons for using drugs and/or alcohol.
Learning objectives:
- Participants will be able to name at least five different reasons that persons with HIV/AIDS misuse alcohol and/or drugs.
- Participants will be able to assess their clients accurately for the reasons they misuse substances.
- Participants will be able to apply this knowledge to develop comprehensive and accurate treatment plans for clients with HIV/AIDS.
No Accreditation for Recorded or Archived events.
