Are methamphetamine
abusers at risk for
contracting HIV/AIDS and
hepatitis B and C?
Increased HIV and hepatitis
B and C transmission are
likely consequences of
increased methamphetamine
abuse, particularly in
individuals who inject the
drug and share injection
equipment. Infection with
HIV and other infectious
diseases is spread among
injection drug users
primarily through the re-use
of contaminated syringes,
needles, or other
paraphernalia by more than
one person. In nearly
one-third of Americans
infected with HIV, injection
drug use is a risk factor,
making drug abuse the
fastest growing vector for
the spread of HIV in the
nation.
Research also indicates that
methamphetamine and related
psychomotor stimulants can
increase the libido in
users, in contrast to
opiates which actually
decrease the libido.
However, long-term
methamphetamine use may be
associated with decreased
sexual functioning, at least
in men. Additionally,
methamphetamine seems to be
associated with rougher sex,
which may lead to bleeding
and abrasions. The
combination of injection and
sexual risks may result in
HIV becoming a greater
problem among
methamphetamine abusers than
among opiate and other drug
abusers, something that
already seems to be
occurring in California.
NIDA-funded research has
found that, through drug
abuse treatment, prevention,
and community-based outreach
programs, drug abusers can
change their HIV risk
behaviors. Drug use can be
eliminated and drug-related
risk behaviors, such as
needle-sharing and unsafe
sexual practices, can be
reduced significantly thus
decreasing the risk of
exposure. Therefore, drug
abuse treatment is also
highly effective in
preventing the spread of
HIV, hepatitis B, and
hepatitis C. |
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