Page 10

Gay Peoples Chronicle

AIDS, DRINK & DRUGS

of

Sacramento--The roots chemical dependency run deep into and throughout the AIDS epidemic, according to psychotherapist Ellen Rather, who addressed a conference of California AIDS organizations meeting here.

A study in the Wall Street Journal reported that over 70% of AIDS patients have a history of drug abuse.

"The study is suspect,"

said

Ratner, "but the point is valid. A large number of the people with AIDS in my practice are recovering from addiction to alcohol or other drugs. There's a real need for reliable data on how many chemically dependent people come down with AIDS. The urgent issue, though, is not to analyze history but to change it."

new

Ratner, who directs the clinical program at a facility that only treats addicted gay people, offered several reasons chemical dependency has such an impact on the AIDS epidemic. "It's speculative, researchers

many

there's a link between

immune response

but

think the itself and

We

drinking and drugging. know that excessive stance abuse

subcan make you run down, and affect the liver heart, and

generally

bones,

visor,

me

but is there a link beyond that? Our medical adDr. Mel Pohl, tells fascinating research is going on into the links between opiate receptors and immune response, but I think the jury is still out."

For people who are already immune-compromised, the de-

health

chemical

nial of alcoholism or drug addiction puts their whole in jeopardy. The dependency itself is a block to well-being, and behavior under the fluence

of

bring

on

inchemicals may further health

hazards.

High Risks Linked to

Addiction

According to Ratner,

the

link between chemical dependency and high risk behavior is definite, and important

to all gay men. Most chemicals do reduce inhibitions, and a person under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, or a narcotic is more likely to engage in sexual activi-

FAIRMOUNT CIRCLE ASSOCIATES SPECIALIZING IN THERAPY FOR:

ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS ANGER

vies that transmit body fluids.

"All the good reasons to wear a condom or to stay with low risk playing suddenly seems a lot less important than the urges of the moment," she said. "And that's life-threatening behavior when 50% of the men in major cities may be infectious for LAV [the presumed AIDS virus]."

Barbara Faltz of San Francisco General Hospital rethat 9% of the gay ported men in her city were responsible for over 40% of the

unsafe sex taking place. Ex-

likely to

said indications were pers that this 9% was include many substance abus-

exs.

August 1986

preexisting sexual issues. "Over 70% of our patients at. Pride were sexually abused by an adult before the age of 15. There seems to be a powerful tie--in gay and straight people--between these experiences and chemical dependency as adults. Many of the women I see are victims of incest."

Pride Institute was founded because research and anecdotal experience indicated that many gay people fail in conventional therapy progis the first in-

rams. It

patient program exclusively for gay men and lesbians. An integral is always part of the recovery process is feeling free to discuss relationships and needs. Most heterosexual establishments simply do not that freedom,

Good Sex is Sober Sex "A lot of people just can't have sober sex," Ratner pointed out. Many have been brought up to believe that sex is dirty and shameful and they have been told that's ten times as true for gay sex. "They can't do it unless they're stoned and that means sex something you did when you were not responsible aware. It reinforces internalized homophobia and it makes for irresponsible, uncaring sex even between lovAt Institute where Ratner is in charge of treatment programs, patients are told that decisions about whom to have sex with .nd what to do with them are

ers.

Pride

"...AIDS cannot be contained unless the epidemic of

chemical dependency in the gay community is.

contained."

On the controversial question of compulsive sexuality Ratner says she is unsure whether this

really quali-

fies as addiction.

"But there's some interesting research--mostly among straight

women--suggesting

that people can become addicted to having sex with new partners. And I firmly believe that it is the process of mood change that people get addicted to. It doesn't matter what the mood is. A large number of different partners produces that kind of series of stimulations from anticipation to excitement to intense pleasure and even to revulsion." Ratner suggested there is a great deal of truth to the old country-western song,

or

personal; but that it's impossible to make informed, rational decisions when you are drunk or high. "It's

allow those

even

with special interest meetings for gay clients. "When everyone else in the group is talking about marriage and kids, it's tough to talk about meeting people in bars or making a same-sex relationship work," Ratner said.

Gay Pride Key to Recovery The Institute's program fouses behavior and

on gay culture, gay gay achievements. It aims to build gay pride and to teach sober behavior in a gay environment.

Ratner and her colleagues have started a nationwide list of referrals and resources.

People with substance abuse problems or

sionals

their

friends or lovers can get more information on treatment by calling 1 800-54PRIDE. The call is toll-free and Pride Institute profescan provide the a problem for many names of local therapists, of our patients, male gay-sensitive AA groups, defemale. But for tails gay men, other communitythese are life and death debased resources and informacisions and throughout our tion month-long program we stress rams. sazfe sex over and over, Ratner said. strictly

Epidemic of Drinking and Drugging.

and

The audience of California AIDS educators heard speaker after speaker say that AIDS cannot be contained unless the epidemic of chemical dependency in the gay community is contained. "Over 30% of gay men and lesbians have problems with alcohol drugs, according to recent

studies. the girls get prettier

"All at closing time.

or

"That's 30% who will forget all the posters and pamphlets and video spots after one drink, one snort, or one

"You're just more likely to find someone irresistible who, when you're sober, would joint turn out to be really quite easy to resist. know what I mean if you ever woke up and said, 'I know he or she didn't look like that last night.""

DEPRESSION STRESS RELATIONSHIPS

JANET LEIGH KUIVILA, M.S.W.

CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS & CLEVELAND HEIGHTS (216) 397-0300

You

Have you been evicted because of sexual. preference?

too many. Getting off is just going to be more urgent than all the rational considerations in the world," Ratner said. She noted that many recovering gay people also have

KORB ENTERPRISES (216) 631-7171

It will not happen

with

1-2-3 Bedroom Suites Available Cleveland's Westside Only

data

is

on

on residential

All records are

ΠΟ

prog-

kept

confidential and

sexual orientation

never released without a patient's consent.

has a

to

In-patient therapy distinct edge over community based programs, according to Ratner. The recovery process involves close monitoring: a resocialization process that the patient used without substance providing sober--and preferably gay--role models, "It's much easier to do all of that in a closed environment, Ratner said.

gets life abuse,

[This month's Healthwise column did not arrive. We substituted another article about AIDS.]

If there ever was a time to be cautious about your body,

It's Now!

Herbal Nutritional Products

Lose

as advertised on national television

257-3320

If long distance--call collect

Maintain --Gain Weight and Detoxify Your Body

We proudly serve the gay community of Northeastern Ohio Remember An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. FREE DELIVERY

M/C Visa accepted