Aids/hiv and Chemical Dependency

AIDS/HIV and Chemical Dependency

Patricia Faison

Grand Canyon University

PCN529

March 7, 2012

AIDS/HIV and Chemical Dependency

In February 1982, 251 individuals in the United States were diagnosed with gay-related immune deficiency (GRID), a disease thought to be restricted to the gay population. However, that same year it was discovered that the disease could spread to other individuals by transference of blood, blood products and semen, placing other sectors of the general population at risk. The name gay-related immune deficiency was no longer appropriate and the human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) came into being (Shilts, 1987). This future counselor will address why there is prevalence among alcohol and/or drug abusers for HIV/AIDS infection. In other words, what makes alcohol and/or drug abusers more prone to HIV/AIDS infection than the general population?

The prevalence of a particular disease is based on a certain percentage of a population that has been affected and is living with that particular disease at any given time. The HIV/AIDS prevalence number is based on the number of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in a particular population at some point of time (Stine, 2011). Past case studies of individuals with HIV/AIDS were categorized according to societal behavior and medical necessity. The categories included men that are homosexual and bisexual, individuals who are injection-drug users, hemophiliacs and even children whose parents were considered a risk. These risk groups are defined by sex, age, and social determinants, such as unemployment, homelessness and low education level (Stine). One reason for the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among drug and alcohol abusers is that this population of individuals were thought to be the least likely to modify risk-taking behaviors (Des Jarlais & Friedman, 1987).

Between 25 to 30% of individuals that do not use drugs through injection have HIV. These numbers are based on the sharing of drugs, prostitution, and the use of "crack" which is associated with unsafe practices of sex. This future mental health professional was astonished to learn that a person can also be infected by reusing a piece of cotton as a filter when injecting heroin and cocaine which contains the virus in the blood. It is said that these individuals think they are safe from HIV/AIDS because they don't share needles with others (Francis, 2003).

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), 2002, there are risks of contracting HIV/AIDS that involves patterns of heavy drinking which may have an impact on sexual