Dr. Halkitis’ Bookstore

The AIDS Generation documents the lived experiences of HIV-positive gay men who are presently middle-aged, long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS. Through the use of ethnography and life history interviews, the book delineates the resiliencies that these 15 long-term survivors have demonstrated in coping with a life-threatening disease throughout the course of their adult lives.

Interwoven with the academic literature, historical events, and artistic expressions from the popular media, the book narrates the life stories of these gay men who are members of the “AIDS Generation.” Their stories span the period from the early days of the epidemic to the present, including their lives as boys and young men negotiating their sexuality and first learning their serostatus, and their life experiences during this time of their lives. Next, the book describes the medical, psychological, and social strategies and behaviors the men of this generation engaged in to survive the AIDS epidemic, and how these men of the AIDS Generation are confronting and navigating through this period of middle-aged adulthood and into older adulthood with new physical, emotional, and social struggles. The book examines how approaches to survival inform and are informed by the broad body of literature on resilience and health, which may be applicable to the lives of those newly infected with HIV and others who are living with chronic health conditions, as well as provide insight to their caregivers and policy makers.

Methamphetamine Addiction: Biological Foundations, Psychological Factors, And Social Consequences
(American Psychological Association, 2009)

Methamphetamine is a drug that rapidly affects its users. It offers an intense high that allows users to be focused and highly productive, have intense sexual experiences, and feel on top of the world. The drug is easily accessible and affordable to a diverse array of users and as a result has become a major public health concern in the United States.

Methamphetamine Addiction presents a biopsychosocial perspective on this drug addiction, taking into account the biochemistry of the drug, the predispositions and behavioral patterns of the individual user, and the effects of the drug on the immediate and wider social environments of these drug users.

Drawing on the most current theories and most recent clinical, behavioral, and medical research available, author Perry Halkitis provides extensive background on the drug. He examines its production in the US, its addictive properties, and its effects on users, which include a complex synergy with HIV. National prevention efforts are discussed as well as treatment options and directions for future research.

Barebacking: Psychosocial and Public Health Perspectives
(Haworth Press, 2006)

Go beyond the statistics to discover why many gay and bisexual men take the health risk—and what can be done about it.

The rate of new HIV diagnoses and other sexually transmitted infections among men having sex with men has increased sharply, especially in men of color. Barebacking: Psychosocial and Public Health Approaches examines in depth the reasons why so many gay and bisexual men indulge in “barebacking,” or intentional unprotected sex. Respected experts reveal the latest studies that explore every facet of this alarming trend that apparently began as a phenomenon confined to those who had already been infected.

The mounting likelihood of a renewed epidemic is a troubling public health issue that reaches beyond gays and bisexuals into the heterosexual community. The aim of Barebacking: Psychosocial and Public Health Approaches is to provide clinicians with some insights to foster strategies for addressing these unsafe sexual behaviors. This book presents the studies of researchers working in the field as well as those who can provide both research and clinical perspectives. Thoroughly researched and richly referenced, this book is an essential resource for health and mental health professionals.

HIV + Sex: The Psychological and Interpersonal Dynamics of HIV-seropositive Gay and Bisexual Men’s Relationships
(American Psychological Association, 2005)

HIV is no longer a death sentence, and persons with HIV are living longer, healthier and more sexually active lives. Nevertheless, the sexual practices of gay and bisexual men living with HIV have largely been ignored or demonized. Much prior study has either treated HIV seropositive persons as asexual, failing to acknowledge their sexual desires and behaviors, or viewed this population’s sexuality only in terms of its potential for spreading disease. These limited views have resulted in a significant lapse in clinical understanding of the challenges faced by HIV-positive men seeking active and vital sexual lives.

HIV+ Sex illuminates the struggles faced by HIV-positive gay and bisexual men as sexual beings, but also describes the myriad ways in which many of these men are able to celebrate their sexuality. Giving voice to the stories of hundreds of seropositive individuals, the editors and contributors explore how gay and bisexual men live with HIV and make decisions about sex, express their sexuality, choose their sexual partners, and balance their physical and emotional health while attempting to maintain viable and responsible sex lives. The personal narratives, in addition to featured findings of extensive behavioral research studies, provide orientation and valuable insight for studying and working with this population.

This distinctive and timely volume offers meaningful and practical information for anyone working with HIV seropositive gay and bisexual men in both research and service domains.