August 3, 2012 in Medical, Women
How has alcohol and the abuse of other drugs affected HIV’s infection and spread? Immensely, especially in regard to women. Most women who are known drug or alcohol users or are known recovering addicts have contracted HIV. Part of the problem stems from women who use intravenous drugs like heroin for their highs: a number of 46% has been attributed to women who are intravenous drug users. Another shocking figure comes in the form of women who are heterosexual but have had sexual contact with male intravenous drug uses. 18% of women become infected this way.
Treatment of HIV has come a long way since its first experimental inceptions. Though many drugs are still very experimental, those infected with the disease have a far greater chance of living a longer and more normal life than at the beginning of HIV’s history of treatment procedures and medications. Unfortunately, because of their abusive past and continuing use with alcohol or drugs, women and men in general refuse to be compliant with the treatments available for HIV. This is why addiction treatment is such a necessary first step in the treatment of HIV infected women. It allows them to get the other kinds of help they need in order to be a fully functional member of society, and more importantly a healthy and happy person.
Other problems arise for women who have contracted HIV and are abusers, problems which an residential drug treatment cannot only treat. Many women suffering from drug addiction do not only suffer from a single a couple of diagnoses. They suffer from multiple diagnoses. As a result, they are in a frailer state physically than other abusers. Problems could arise because such patients often have trouble enduring the great encumbrance of the varying medical methods used for HIV treatment and threaded with treatment for drug addiction. Other disorders of a psychological variety might be affecting the patient as well, and makes treatment that much harder for them.
But there is hope for such women. Studies have shown that it is possible with great effort and hard work to help women recognize their problem with addiction and treating that addiction successfully.
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Nikki said on August 6, 2012
I can only imagine that treatment and recovery for women who abuse drugs and are HIV affected is that much worse than treating an addict who does not have the HIV virus. But if new ways to help these patients are being developed and there is successful treatments known out there, treating HIV infected women with drug addictions can be less complicated and will have better outcomes.
Kathy said on August 6, 2012
We may have progressed far in discovering treatment for HIV but there is a long way to go when it comes to helping the HIV infected lead a normal life. there is still so much to do to make this people realize the importance of giving up drug abuse and alcoholism and have faith in life.
Michell said on August 7, 2012
HIV treatment requires one to be patient and lead a restrained life. Unfortunately people who are used to drug abuse do not want to give up their addictions and this makes it difficult to treat them. They have to realize that giving up drugs is the prerequisite to get treatment for HIV.
Maxine said on August 7, 2012
Yeah, treating HIV infected women is difficult as it is, I can imagine how much worse it is treating HIV women who are drug addicts. Glad to hear they are making progress on this though.
Thomas said on August 7, 2012
It is essential that we bring people out of the clutches of drug abuse. Addiction to drugs and alcohol is a result of psychological problems. The patients have to be supplied with social support and love and encouragement to give up drugs. Then only treatment of HIV will be effective.
Justin said on August 9, 2012
People need emotional and social support to say no to drugs and other substance abuse. As a society we have grown apart from each other and that makes people fall for substance abuse to cope with the pressures of life.
Carla said on August 9, 2012
I am glad to see they are finding ways to help HIV infected women who have a drug addiction. That is a very tough thing to battle without having HIV. That makes them that much more vulnerable.