Table III:

Themes Identified from Unstructured Interviews

Polysubstance Use	Sobriety as a Revelation
Coping mechanism for adverse life events and/or mental health conditions Alcohol facilitating other drug use	Traumatic event God/Spiritual awakening Accumulation of negative life consequences
Sobriety Maintenance	Impact of HIV/HCV Diagnosis and Care on Sobriety
External social support:group support, mental healthcare, friends/partners/family Internal learned strategies: view of addiction as a permanent challenge, remembering the consequences of using Creating a structured life: finding a “purpose;’ learning life skills such as paying the rent	Varying impact of HIV/HCV diagnosis and care on sobriety: no impact, a reason to drink more, or a reason to quit Equating sobriety with willpower not disease Physicians mentioned as a source of general support unrelated to sobriety