The effects of previous alcohol abuse on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence have been less studied.

Participants were randomized to a 3-month group intervention or an individual-enhanced standard-of-care condition and assessed over 6 months. Individual assessment at baseline, 3, and 6 months was done; interviews included lifetime history of problematic alcohol use.

A total of 80 HIV-positive individuals on ART were recruited. In all, 35% of participants reported a history of problematic alcohol use, 37% had a detectable viral load, 55% were nonadherent, and 24% reporting skipping medication in the previous 3 months. There was no association between a history of problematic use and an adherence at any time point, that is, at baseline (t = –.7, P = .47), midpoint (t = –.39, P = .69), and 6-month follow-up (t = –1.2, P = .23).

Results suggest that a history of problematic alcohol use may not impact ART adherence.