Drug abuse treatment as a strategy to prevent human immunodeficiency virus infection among intravenous drug users

Article Abstract:

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS, is a problem of growing proportions among intravenous drug users. The propensity of such individuals to share unsterilized needles and syringes allows a convenient route by which HIV infection may rapidly spread from one infected individual to a group of drug users. Hence, drug abuse treatment programs form a critical component in the fight against AIDS. Paradoxically, by bringing together previously unacquainted individuals who may have little in common other than their drug addiction (and who may interact on a social level by unknowingly sharing HIV-contaminated syringes), drug treatment programs may foster even greater levels of HIV transmission. The tendency of many drug abuse treatment programs to include more group therapy and other interactive types of therapy in their treatment regimens makes this sort of complication even more likely. Thus, it is critical that drug treatment programs provide comprehensive HIV testing and counseling procedures for all patients utilizing their services. Currently, many drug treatment programs have limited means to do HIV testing, relying instead on already strained government-funded public health centers. The resulting appointment scheduling complexities, which drug addicts do not deal with effectively, make the likelihood of an HIV-infected individual continuing in a drug rehabilitation program and possibly sharing contaminated materials for an extended period much greater. The most successful approach to solving this problem would appear to lie in the provision of special funding targeted at the prevention of HIV transmission in drug abuse treatment centers, as well as raising the minimum acceptable standards for HIV prevention activities in these treatment programs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prevention, Complications and side effects, HIV infection, HIV infections, HIV patients, AIDS (Disease), Drug treatment centers, Intravenous drug abuse

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Absence of antibody to human immunodeficiency virus long-term, socially rehabilitated methadone maintenance patients

Article Abstract:

Intravenous drug users are the second largest group affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with 55 to 60 percent testing positive for the virus. HIV is transmitted from person to person when infected needles are shared. Methadone can be given by mouth to treat former heroin addicts. Rehabilitation with methadone maintenance should effectively reduce the risk of HIV infection. Fifty-eight former intravenous drug users enrolled in a methadone maintenance program for an average of 16 months; they were tested for HIV and hepatitis B, another common viral infection in IV drug abusers. Methadone treatments began at the onset of the HIV epidemic. None of the patients tested positive for HIV. Evidence of a hepatitis B infection was present in 53 (91 percent) of the patients. Methadone maintenance treatment initiated before the AIDS epidemic protected IV drug abusers from HIV infections. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Measurement, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Methadone maintenance, HIV antibodies

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Pain management and chemical dependency: evolving perspectives

Article Abstract:

A 1996 conference represents the first time health care professionals came together to address pain management and chemical dependency. Some painkillers such as opiates can create dependency or addiction in the patient. For this reason, many doctors do not give opiates to patients with severe pain. Patients with a history of drug abuse are even less likely to be given opiates. Consequently, many patients suffer from chronic pain. Physicians need to be educated in addiction medicine so they can give opiates to the patients who need them most.

Drug therapy, Pain, Narcotics

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