Resumen
Objective: To identify the features of drug consumption, risk-entailing sexual conduct, and the typology of
addiction treatment center users in Mexico and Central America. Methods: The information source was
integrated using two databases built from two studies carried out at addiction treatment centers in eight
countries. A total of 622 male drug users, aged over 18 years and sexually active during the last year, were
included. Chi-square and ANOVA tests were used to perform a statistic analysis. For user characterization, a
typology was established using a factorial analys is as well as a cluster analysis. Results: Significant
differences were identified between countries regarding the socio-demographic variables, tobacco, and
illicit drug consumption sometime during the individual lives, licit and illicit drug consumption over the
last 12 months, and risk-entailing sexual conduct. The countries that reported HIV-positive cases were
Mexico and Belize. After classification, three clusters were identified, the third of which encompassed the
highest risk sexual practices under the influence of drugs. Conclusions: This work contributes to the
elucidation of behavioral features as well as the connection between HIV and drug consumption that has
been overlooked in related international reports. Furthermore, it is shown that overall drug consumption,
not only that of the injectable type, places individuals in risk-entailing situations by causing them to lose
control over their behavior and emotions.