Find Local Treatment Options
Call 888-646-0635 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.Who Answers?

Addiction & HIV: Are You at Risk?

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.

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

Addiction & HIV

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.

Addiction – A Disease of Chronic Relapse

More Rehab Centers Resources

Benefits of Going to Meth Rehab

methamphetamine abuse and addiction

There are various reasons as to why a person should get help from a meth rehab, but the ultimate reason is for them to regain control of their life. Meth rehab can provide a person with the mental and physical help they need to learn to manage their addiction and live drug free. Why Rehab….

Continue reading

How Recovery Programs for Addiction Work 

addiction recovery

With so many types of treatment programs, it is possible for anybody with a drug or alcohol addiction to get the help they need. Those who are unable to make progress on their own should realize that professional help is never more than a call away. While some people are familiar with the finer details….

Continue reading

5 Signs You Need Drug Rehab

Drug rehab isn’t a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

It is never too late to seek help for addiction but if you wait too long the chances of irreparable damage being cause as a result of your addiction increase significantly. If you are not sure whether you need drug rehab or not consider this – if you have tried to stop using on your own and….

Continue reading

Where Can I Find Free Long Term Drug Rehab?

rehab for free

Rehab can be a scary thing not only for reasons of what it means to the addict; leaving the security of the drug that gives them comfort; but also because the cost can be astronomical. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) reports that, depending on length of stay, staff to patient ratio, size of….

Continue reading

Recognizing the Signs of Drug Addiction

It is important to know the signs of drug addiction!

Are you struggling with life, trying to keep everything from spiraling out of control but not matter how hard you try you just keep using drugs? You feel helpless and ashamed, you’ve isolated yourself from friends and family, you miss work or school regularly because you don’t “feel” well but no matter what you do,….

Continue reading

Benefits of Using Rehab Centers for Addiction Treatment

Addiction treatment can help you overcome your addiction!

Drug and alcohol addiction is a dangerous condition that can ultimately lead to death if left untreated. You wouldn’t wait to treat a deadly disease such as cancer but yet everyday thousands of drug addicts and alcoholics wait to treat their addiction because they think that life may get better on its own. Unfortunately, sometimes….

Continue reading

How Local Rehab Centers Benefit the Whole Family

family and substance abuse

About two years ago my mother-in-law mother came to us and admitted that she had become addicted to opiate pain medication and that when she couldn’t find pills she often would substitute heroin because it was more readily available and less expensive. We had suspected that there might be a problem for sometime but still….

Continue reading

Does Childhood Anxiety Lead to Drug Addiction?

Although according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety may lead to drug addiction, it does not ALWAYS lead to addiction. There is a correlation between anxiety disorders and substance use but anxiety does not always result in substance abuse. Anxiety Medications Most medications given for anxiety even in childhood are benzodiazepines. These….

Continue reading

Addiction Intervention Basics

Addiction intervention can help you overcome your addiction!

Understanding what an intervention is and how it works can go a long way when the time comes that you must become part of an intervention on yourself or a loved one. Addiction intervention is the term commonly used to describe a set of behaviors used to approach an individual who suffers from addiction with….

Continue reading

Still can't find the help you are looking for?Get Started Now
Accepted Insurances / View the full list
For inquiries call 888-646-0635 Who Answers?

Accepted Insurances Does My Insurance
Cover This?

Where do calls go?

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.

I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOWI NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOW888-646-0635
Who Answers?

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares