HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
What is HIV and AIDS?
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks and destroys certain white blood cells, which are part of the body’s immune system needed to fight infections. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the end result of HIV. AIDS occurs when the majority of white blood cells have been destroyed by HIV and the immune system no longer functions. Today, there are medications that help manage opportunistic infections such as HIV/AIDS as well as drugs to slow the progression of HIV. With these new medications, a person can live a long time before the onset of AIDS. Currently, there is no cure for HIV or AIDS.
HIV is spread through the transmission of body fluids such as semen, blood, or vaginal secretions. The fluid can be transferred through broken skin, mucous membranes, or sexual intercourse. The infection can also be transferred through surgical procedures or dirty needles through tainted blood.
Pregnant women can spread HIV to their babies through the blood exchange between the mother and the fetus during delivery, or through breast milk.
It is important to understand that the use of drugs and alcohol tends to promote risky behaviors, such as promiscuous and unprotected sex, the sharing of needles, or the use of unsterilized needles. Active addiction also decreases the function of the immune system.
Nutritional deficiencies and other infections, which are both symptoms of AIDS, as well as the direct effects of the virus, can cause problems in the brain’s ability to function. These deficiencies may produce a condition known as AIDS Dementia Complex. Some symptoms of this complex are:
- Slurred speech
- Change in speech patterns
- Slowed thinking
- Difficulty in finding words
- Muscle weakness
- Confusion and forgetfulness
- Loss of concentration
Many of the symptoms of addiction are also common with the symptoms related to AIDS Dementia Complex. This can make it difficult to help those that suffer with both addiction and HIV. The negative impact drugs and alcohol on the brain exacerbates HIV infections.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction and HIV
Drug and alcohol addicts are not generally focused upon health. Because of this lack of focus, personal hygiene, good eating habits, sleep and exercise patterns, and medical care all go by the wayside. Further, while actively using, a person with drug addiction or alcoholism may not exercise proper judgment. This is exactly why the HIV infection rate is higher in alcoholics and in those suffering from drug addiction. For example, sharing straws to snort drugs can transmit HIV and Hepatitis C, in the same manner that sharing needles transmits these viruses. Poor judgment from frontal lobe inhibition while using, and an abnormal increase in sexual desire leads those who are in active alcohol or drug addiction to participate in risky, unprotected sexual behavior that they would not engage in if sober.
Drugs and alcohol complicate the body’s ability to function properly and fight infections of all kinds. Alcohol and marijuana suppress the immune system’s response, by both suppressing the number of infection fighting cells in the body and decreasing the actual function of each cell.
Of important note, once HIV has been contracted, it is important to seek immediate medical attention in order to suppress the replication of the virus in the body in an attempt to prevent the progress of the HIV disease state to full-blown AIDS. However, if one is actively using drugs or alcohol, the medications used to treat an HIV infection are less effective. This is due to several factors, such as increased or decreased metabolism of the drug, and simply forgetting to adhere to a regimented schedule of medication administration. In fact, many infectious disease doctors will not start a patient on a medication regimen to treat HIV or Hepatitis C when the patient is actively in alcoholism or drug addiction, due to the patient’s likely inability to adhere to a regimen.
Testing positive for HIV can be scary, causing a great deal of stress for someone. Emotional swings can include feelings of anger, fear, and confusion. Once diagnosed, many people go through denial, guilt, and/or depression. As a result of these intense feelings, some people turn to drugs or alcohol to “numb out”, or avoid dealing with their reality. This behavior can worsen the situation with the onset of drug addiction or alcoholism.
