Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies

About ARCH

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About ARCH

Given multiple pathways through which alcohol impacts HIV morbidity, mortality and transmission, the Brown University ARCH provides an integrated, multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach to forward science on alcohol/HIV interactions and inform clinical approaches to caring for people living with HIV and efforts to prevent HIV transmission.

Alcohol misuse is a major driver of the HIV epidemic, impacting the spread and treatment of the virus both in the United States and globally. By increasing sexual risk behaviors, reducing adherence to antiretroviral therapy and increasing HIV-associated illnesses and mortality, alcohol misuse both increases the prevalence of the virus and diminishes the health of those living with HIV. The ARCH, launched with funding from the NIAAA in 2010, studies the impact of alcohol misuse on HIV prevention and on the HIV care continuum.

Through its ongoing collaborations with the Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Fenway Health, the University of Cape Town, and other partners, ARCH researchers have investigated the combined effects of alcohol and HIV on brain structure and function, on the effects of behavioral alcohol interventions among men with HIV who have sex with men, and on the effects of alcohol use on sexual decision making and behavior among men who have sex with men.

Research Components

The ARCH has five integrated parts: an Administrative Core, a Research Methods Core, and three Research Components.

Research Component 1: Hybrid 1 Effectiveness-Implementation Trial

Brief, Web-Based Intervention to Reduce Heavy Drinking and Encourage Prevention Among High-Risk Men Completing HIV/STI Self-Testing

Research Component 2: Telehealth for Alcohol Misuse

Using Telehealth to Address Alcohol Misuse in HIV Care

Research Component 3: South Africa ITTC

Advancing Integrated Alcohol-HIV Training of Frontline Providers in a Global Priority Setting

Our Partners

Fenway Health

Fenway Health provides exceptional comprehensive and culturally competent medical, behavioral health, radiology, pharmacy, dental and eye care as well as supportive services to thousands of patients who come to us from all across Massachusetts and even from out-of-state.

Howard Brown Health

Provides expert care to the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, regardless of ability to pay.

Los Angeles LGBT Center

Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBTQ individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond.

Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research

The Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) is a partnership between Brown University/Lifespan and Boston University/Boston Medical Center aimed at reducing the global burden of HIV infection.

El Rio Health

Offers primary, specialized, and dental care to all community members. From OB/GYN, midwifery, and pediatrics to family medicine, physical therapy, and behavioral health, we tend to the whole patient. Most locations offer pharmacy, radiology, and laboratory services, as well as health and wellness programs.

Whitman-Walker Health

First responder and care-provider for those living with HIV; a leader in LGBTQ care and advocacy; a research center working to discover breakthroughs in HIV treatment and prevention science; and one of the DC’s most trusted partners during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

University of Cape Town

A public research university in Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 1829 as the South African College, it was granted full university status in 1918, making it the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest university in Sub-Saharan Africa in continuous operation.