Substance use during sex and unsafe sexual behaviors among acute psychiatric inpatients

A total of 239 acute psychiatric inpatients were interviewed about whether they used substances just before or during sex and whether they engaged in unsafe sexual behaviors while using substances. Nearly 40 percent of male patients and 36 percent of female patients reported using alcohol at least once during sex in the previous six months. Among male patients a statistically significant association was observed between using crack during sex and two high-risk behaviors-- inconsistent condom use and sex with a high-risk partner. Among female patients the use of alcohol before or during sex was significantly associated with the practice of receptive anal sex.