E risk of contracting HIV by injecting drugs with infected needles is just one of the many possible consequences of drug abuse.
But did you know that several other factors also make drug abuse an avenue to exposure to HIV? Read more about how drug use and HIV are related. Then, briefly describe three ways in which drug abuse can lead to HIV infection.
People who engage in drug use or high-risk behaviors associated with drug use put themselves at risk for contracting or transmitting viral infections such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis. This is because viruses spread through blood or body fluids. It happens primarily in two ways: (1) when people inject drugs and share needles or other drug equipment and (2) when drugs impair judgment and people have unprotected sex with an infected partner. This can happen with both men and women. Women who become infected with a virus can pass it to their baby during pregnancy, whether or not they use drugs. They can also pass HIV to the baby through breastmilk. Drug use can also affect the symptoms a person has from a viral infection. The viral infections of greatest concern related to drug use are HIV and hepatitis.
Psychology today describes dependency as "a disorder that may arise if a person uses or participates in a gambling, shopping or spending drug like smoking, cocaine, or alcohol.
