Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) report higher use of many psychoactive substances, which may cause harmful health outcomes, including psychosis (losing touch with reality through hallucinations or delusions). Using data drawn from a community-based study of GBM in Vancouver and linked administrative health records, we compared their rates of psychosis to a similar group of men (e.g., same average age, location) from the general population in Vancouver. We also explored what specifically predicts psychosis among GBM, including HIV status and the use of specific substances. Compared to men from the general population, we found that GBM had higher rates of psychosis. We found some evidence that psychosis was related to the use of amphetamines and sedatives, and strong evidence that psychosis was related to the use of opioids, living with HIV, having unstable housing, and having symptoms of moderate/severe anxiety. Overall, we found that rates of psychosis were elevated for GBM and were much more common among GBM living with HIV and those who reported recent opioid-use. The use of other substances and having symptoms of anxiety were also common among GBM who developed psychosis. It is important that we work in partnership with community to develop appropriate interventions to reduce the use of psychoactive substances among GBM to prevent negative mental health outcomes.