66th Annual Conference

Saturday, February 21

Early Bird Open Sessions

7:45 A.M. – 8:45 A.M.

Session 217

Group Psychotherapy for Gay Men Using Crystal Methamphetamine

Presented under the auspices of the AGPA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues SIG

Presenters:

Paul Rinaldi, Ph.D., Clinical Director, Addiction Institute of NY, New York, New York

Joe Ruggiero, Ph.D., Assistant Clinical Director, Addiction Institute of NY, New York, New York

This session will explore how a community of gay men who are using crystal methamphetamine integrate into the larger treatment community while maintaining their affiliation to the sub-community.  The benefits and challenges of working on issues such as sex, identity, intimacy, and drug use in a group will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Describe the issues that are involved in providing group therapy to a community such as the LGBT community.

2. Discuss the benefits of creating community as a way to provide milieu therapy

3. Define the challenges and benefits of providing group therapy to gay men using crystal

Course References:

1. Levounis, P and Ruggiero, J. (2006). Outpatient Management of Crystal Methamphetamine Dependence Among Gay and Bisexual Men: Can It Be Done? Primary Psychiatry, 13, 2, 75-89.

2. Shoptaw, S., Reback, C.J., Frosch, D.L., and Rawson, R.A. (1998). Stimulant abuse treatment as HIV prevention. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 17,4, 19-32.

3. Little, J. (2002). Harm Reduction Group Therapy. In A. Tatarsky (ed), Harm Reduction Psychotherapy. Aronson: Northvale, New Jersey.