Unless you’ve been in a cave since the mid-1980’s, you know that drug use, particularly IV drug use, is correlated with HIV and AIDS. But over the last decade, the immune-deficiency disease hasn’t got the limelight it once did and people may not understand the risks associated with drug use and HIV.
HIV/AIDS Basics
A virus that attacks the body’s immune system, HIV is transmitted through contact with an infected individual’s blood or body fluids. It destroys T-helper cells, a specific kind of white blood cell, and mimics itself inside the cell, spreading quickly.
Featured Rehab Center
Unprotected Sex
When talking about addiction and HIV, most people automatically assume you’re talking about sharing needles, but that’s not the only way addiction increases your risk to contract the virus. Addicts are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, especially when intoxicated, than others. These risky behaviors include unprotected sex, promiscuity, and prostitution, all which put those addicted to drugs and alcohol at a much higher risk rate than the average person.
Sharing Needles
Sharing needles is one of the main ways HIV is spread in the United States.
Although many don’t like to admit it, when you’re an IV drug user, eventually, no matter how hard you try not to, you’ll find yourself in a situation when you share a needle with someone else. Typically, there’s always a justification: it’s my boyfriend, I know she’s not infected, she’s my best friend, he’d tell me if he hadn’t been tested. But the fact remains, sharing a needle with anyone is dangerous.
According to the Center for Disease Control, it’s estimated that nearly 1.2 million Americans are infected with HIV, and over one in ten doesn’t know they’re infected. That’s over 156,000 people. That’s a lot. And that’s why HIV continues to spread.
What Happened in Indiana
In the summer of 2015, Indiana experienced the worst HIV outbreak in years, all related to heroin and IV drug use. As of February 2016, 188 cases have been diagnosed, a few more being added almost every month since the breakout began. This event has awakened some to the devastating effects heroin is having on our country, and has demonstrated to users the importance of not sharing needles. Even though so many people were infected, the progression has slowed immensely and policies are being put into place for harm reduction. The use of Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a combination of two HIV medications, has been used to prevent infection in those who are most at risk. The drug combination reduces the risk of HIV by 90 percent through unprotected sex and 70 percent through IV drug use.
Drug Use Impacts Treatment
HIV and AIDS were once considered a fatal disease and diagnosis was a death sentence, but that’s not the case anymore. Treated with heavy anti-virals, HIV can’t be cured, but it can be managed. Unless you’re abusing drugs or alcohol. Drug use impacts the way your body accepts the treatment and doesn’t allow it get as many benefits.
Is Drug Use Putting You at Risk?
Are you concerned that your drug use is putting you at risk for HIV or AIDS? Are you ready to make a change and embrace a life in recovery? Call 888-646-0635Who Answers? for help today.
Your commitment to sobriety is the most important commitment that you will ever make in your life. It’s like a marriage between yourself and your life and once you find a way to become sober, maintaining your sobriety is of utmost importance. Here are some tips for staying committed to yourself and remaining sober. What’s….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is a treatable disease not a lack of willpower or morality. Knowing this does not make severing ties with an adult child who is an addict any easier. Many people subscribe to the tough love approach, which involves abandoning the child to their drug addicted fate…..
Anyone who’s lived through a natural disaster, the death of a loved one or a violent attack well knows the degree of emotional turmoil that comes from these types of events. While some people eventually get over difficult life events, others may become emotionally stuck inside the trauma-inciting incident. When this is the case, post-traumatic….
About Holistic Drug Rehab Holistic drug rehab is a way for people to receive the help they need to detox and learn to manage their drug addiction, without the use of medication and unnatural resources. Holistic rehab program focus on a person finding balance and learning to manage their own addiction. According to the Center….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, rehab centers are one of the better ways to break an addiction. Unfortunately, not all rehab centers are the same in quality and services. You should ask some questions before signing an intake contract and entering a rehab center. These questions should be an important part of….
If you or a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, inpatient rehab may be the best choice when it comes to treatment. Not all inpatient rehab centers are created equal and there are many questions you will want to ask and consider prior to choosing an inpatient rehab center. Here’s a look at….
It doesn’t matter if you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one, you understand that a prescription drug addiction is serious business. You realize that this could worsen over time, which is why you are seeking assistance right now. Here is the good thing: there are many rehabs for prescription drug addiction. This….
According to the NIDA, “Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients,” and drug therapy uses pharmacological treatments to help those in addiction rehab. There are many benefits to the use of drug therapy for this purpose, and in most cases, it is a helpful treatment especially when paired with counseling. Some of….
Alcohol rehab can be the key ingredient to alcohol addiction recovery and in a person remaining sober. How alcohol rehab impacts a person will depend on the person’s mentality about rehab and their strength in overcoming their withdrawal symptoms. Why People Need Alcohol Rehab According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addiction is….
Alcohol, though legal for people over the age of 21, still causes detrimental consequences. The fact that alcohol is a legal substance is likely the reason why the negative role that alcohol plays in the community can be seen in nearly any situation including school, home, special events and even work. It doesn’t really matter….
Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser.
By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.
