Chayama, Koharu Loulou; Ng, Cara; Ivsins, Andrew; Small, Will; Knight, Rod; McNeil, Ryan
2024-07-14
Link to PubMed Central (PMC)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11444243/Chronic pain is a common comorbidity among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who use drugs. However, in-depth understanding of how chronic pain is managed among PLHIV who use drugs remains limited, especially in the aging population. We sought to explore how older PLHIV who use drugs manage chronic pain and situate these experiences within their social and structural contexts. This study draws on semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted with 27 PLHIV who use drugs and were living with chronic pain in Vancouver, Canada. Three themes emerged from our data analysis. First, chronic pain ingluenced daily life and functioning, including ability to manage HIV and other health conditions. Second, provider-related barriers, including anti-drug stigma and discrimination, impeded access to pain management. Third, illicit drugs were often used to self-manage pain. Our findings underscore the need for equitable access to pain care, and safer alternatives to the toxic illicit drug supply in the context of the illicit drug poisoning epidemic, to relieve suffering and improve quality of life for older PLHIV who use drugs.