PREVALENCE AMONG ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSERS

Prevalence Among Alcohol and/or Drug Abusers for HIV/AIDS

Prevalence Among Alcohol and/or Drug Abusers for HIV/AIDS

Introduction

Early in the epidemic, it became apparent that the HIV virus was being spread, not only through sexual contact with infected people, but also through the sharing of injection equipment and drug solutions by injection drug users (IDUs). With such a significant number of HIV cases acquired through injection drug use, effective prevention interventions were needed. NIDA's research showed that comprehensive HIV prevention--including drug addiction treatment and community-based outreach, in combination with testing and counseling for HIV and other infections- -is an effective approach. Such an approach continues to be important in reducing HIV infection risk and preventing the spread of HIV and other blood-borne infections in drug-abusing populations. (Wood E, Hogg RS, Yip B, Harrigan PR, O'Shaughnessy MV, Montaner JS, 2003)

Explanation

In addition to injection drug use, drug abuse plays other, less recognized, roles in HIV transmission. First, drug intoxication affects users' mental status and judgment, which, in turn, can increase the likelihood that they will engage in high-risk sexual behavior. Further, addiction to drugs, as documented for crack cocaine, can further increase users' exposure to unprotected sex as a means to obtain drugs. Finally, physiological consequences of drug abuse may alter susceptibility to infection and interact with HIV treatment drugs. Drug abuse and addiction have been closely linked with HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic. Although injection drug use is well known in this regard, the role that non-injection drug abuse plays more generally in the spread of HIV is less recognized. (Wood E, Hogg RS, Yip B, Harrigan PR, O'Shaughnessy MV, Montaner JS, 2003)

Injection drug use. People typically associate drug abuse and HIV/AIDS with injection drug use and needle sharing. Injection drug use refers to when ...