The Dangerous Mix of Drugs and HIV

As if the negative effects directly associated with drug use weren’t enough, there are also varying levels of risk factors involved with drug use for other problems. These difficulties can include divorce, abuse, rape, job loss, and criminal activity. Another risk is the spread of disease, either through unsafe sexual practices or intravenous drug use.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that the number of people that injected drugs and contracted HIV was on the rise again. For those who seek treatment for the virus, the complexity in dealing with both the infection and the addiction is very difficult.
A pharmaceutical regimen of compound drugs is often what is used in treating HIV. The main problem with this is that the drugs themselves cause serious side effects that can negatively impact the patient.
According to Nicholas Regush, who produces medical features for ABCNEWS, “…these drugs have been poorly tested and their short-term effect has been inadequately associated with an impact on HIV.”
For side effects that cause mental and physical anguish, more drugs are often given, such as painkillers and anti-depressants. In the case with a drug-addicted HIV patient, these symptom-masking drugs present even more of a problem, especially the narcotics, because of further abuse potential.
Though medical professionals mean very well, the fact that further toxins are introduced into an already ailing body is typically not a long-term successful approach. Proven in the case of drug addiction, at least one drug-free rehabilitation program shows stellar results, the Narconon® Drug Rehabilitation and Education Program. This program is based on research and discoveries made by L. Ron Hubbard and its results speak for themselves with the end product of the program being a drug-free, ethical and contributing member of society again.
Though effective long-term treatments are necessary now, the only way to eradicate substance abuse and HIV is to have workable prevention messages and programs as an ongoing action.

Next Story©2003 Narconon of Oklahoma, Inc. All Rights Reserved. NARCONON is a registered trademark and service mark owned by Association for Better Living and Education International and is used with its permission.