Objective: To assess the patterns of alcohol consumption by HIV-positive patients and to determine effective and ineffective strategies to reduce harm from alcohol consumption.

Methods: A survey of 286 HIV-positive inpatient and outpatient patients was carried out as well as a qualitative study by focus group method of HIV-positive individuals living in St. Petersburg.

Results: Almost the half of patients has demonstrated a dangerous level of alcohol consumption that affected adherence to treatment. Persons closest to HIV-positive patients have both positive and negative effect on the patterns of alcohol consumption.

Conclusions: Alcohol consumption is a common behavioral practice among HIV-positive patients requiring periodic monitoring. Persons closest to a patient influence his/her behavior and can be used in planning of preventive measures in addictive pathology.