Drug abuse impacts health in many ways, but one of the most notable may be the increased risk of infectious diseases. A World Health Organization report reveals that injection drug use accounts for 12% of new HIV cases and 60% of new viral hepatitis C cases in the United States. A CDC study connects a high risk of endocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to drug use.

While the cessation of drug use is the best prevention method, other techniques can reduce the risk of infectious diseases and ensure the best outcomes. This article will provide the information you need to stay healthy.

How Addiction Raises the Risk of Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases may be connected to various types of drug use, delivery methods, risky behaviors, living conditions, and overall health. The following sections will review the connection.

Injection Drugs and Bloodborne Infections

Injecting drugs can spread blood-borne infections like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C, and bacterial infections like endocarditis, MRSA, sepsis, and soft tissue infections. Sharing and reusing needles, syringes, cookers, filters, water, and tourniquets can carry infections from one body to another. You also put yourself at risk by:

Using non-sterile equipment
Injecting drugs in a nonsterile environment
Repeated injections leading to open wounds and abscesses

Sexual Transmission

Substance use disorders can cause people to engage in risk behavior, including unsafe sex. Many people who inject drugs have unprotected sex with multiple partners. They may use sex to pay for drugs or have lower inhibitions due to drug use.

Drugs can also impair judgment, making it difficult to think about condoms and birth control.

Infectious diseases transmitted through sex include HIV, hepatitis B, and various STIs.

Impaired Immunity and General Health

Drugs impact general health. Alcohol damages the gut, liver, and immune system, increasing the risk of pneumonia or TB. Stimulants and opioids impact sleep and nutrition, lowering immunity.

Additionally, people who do drugs are not typically attentive to their health. They may delay seeking help for conditions and symptoms, and miss vaccines and screenings, increasing the risk of infectious complications.

Living Conditions and Social Factors

People who use drugs are often exposed to subpar living conditions. They may be dealing with homelessness or unstable housing, forcing them to live in crowded shelters and encampments with limited access to sanitation and hygiene. More contact with others in high-risk networks increased the spread of infections and germs.

Common infectious diseases found in these environments include tuberculosis (TB), respiratory infections such as flu or COVID, skin infections, lice, and scabies.

What Can Individuals Do?

If you use drugs or have used drugs in the past, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of infectious diseases. Here are some recommended techniques:

Get tested regularly for HIV, hepatitis B and C, STIs, and TB every 3-12 months to ensure early detection and prevent spreading infections
Get Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, HPV (depending on age), the flu, and COVID for disease control.
Safer Use Practices: These include never sharing needles and other equipment that could spread disease, ensuring equipment is sterile, cleaning injection sites (washing hands, using alcohol swabs), and using condoms during sex.
Get Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: Treatment centers provide assistance with cessation, preventing the spread of infectious disease, but for a more immediate approach, they can prescribe addiction medicine like methadone, providing opioid effects without a needle, screen for infections, and connect people with health systems.

What Society Can Do

When governments and organizations work together, they can protect community members through a range of approaches. A study published in Oxford Academic reveals that a comprehensive care program implemented in Chicago, colocating primary care with infectious disease programs, harm reduction services, and substance use disorder treatment at a syringe site, led to increases in HIV treatments, vaccinations, STI testing, and buprenorphine, extending benefits to active and non-active users alike.

Here are some techniques that can make your community safer and healthier.

Needle Exchanges: These sites provide sterile syringes and injection supplies, safe disposal of used equipment, on-site referrals to HIV testing clinics, vaccinations, wound care, and linkage to MAT and social workers.
Access to Medication Assisted Treatment: Broad access to methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone reduces injection behavior and lowers the associated risk of overdose and infectious diseases.
HIV Prevention: Various medications can reduce the risk of HIV infection, including PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a daily pill or injection that decreases risk for people with ongoing exposure, and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), a short-term medication to be taken within 72 hours of possible HIV exposure to prevent risks. Distributing these through local healthcare systems can save lives.
Integrated Care Models: People who use drugs often don’t get the integrated care they require, care that focuses on mental and physical needs, making recovery difficult. They could benefit from clinics that offer addiction treatment, including medication and mental health counseling, vaccines, HIV testing, and case management in one place, leading to healthier outcomes.
Decriminalization and Diversion to Treatment: Drug users are often punished with jail, making it difficult to move forward and lead productive lives. Instead of jail, institutions should consider mandatory treatment to stop the cycle of drug abuse and related diseases. This would also destigmatize the issue, making people more open to getting the help they need, whether that means going to a needle exchange or contacting a rehab center.

Caring for Infectious Diseases in Recovery

Caring for patients with infectious diseases can be challenging, especially during recovery. Here are some health tips to consider.

See a Healthcare Provider: A medical professional will confirm your diagnosis and provide a treatment plan. If you don’t have a regular doctor, low-cost public health centers are available.
Start and Maintain Treatment: Depending on the infectious disease, your doctor may recommend a care plan that includes medication, nutrition, and other healthy lifestyle habits. Consider how to integrate these recommendations into your life to support ongoing health.
Protect Recovery While Treating the Infection: Care for infectious diseases may affect your recovery, considering medication interactions and pain management. Ensure all care teams are aware of your needs, including rehab center staff, primary care specialists, and hospital admission teams.
Reduce the Risk of Spreading Your Disease: This can be achieved by wearing condoms, not sharing needles (if still engaged in drug use), and keeping personal spaces clean.
Take Care of Your Mental Health: Good mental health is imperative to a successful recovery. However, it can be diminished by infectious diseases, which may promote feelings of shame, guilt, or fear. Various types of counseling can support mental health and improve outcomes.

BlueCrest Health Supports All Aspects of Wellness

At BlueCrest Health, we support all aspects of recovery, considering mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual factors. We can work with your primary care team to ensure optimal wellness in recovery. Our customized approach and comprehensive care support long-term results.

FAQs

Are infectious diseases linked to drug use treatable or curable?

Some are curable, some are not.

Hepatitis C is curable with 8-12 weeks of antiviral drugs
HIV requires lifelong treatment, but a normal mortality is achievable
Hepatitis B may require long-term antivirals
Bacterial infections respond to antibiotics, but early detection is key

What are the long-term effects of these infections?

If not treated properly, infections can lead to more serious conditions, such as:

Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer, cirrhosis, or the need for a transplant
Untreated HIV damages immunity
Syphilis can cause organ damage
Substance use disorders reduce adherence to HIV medicine

Where can I get tested and treated?

There are various clinics that provide testing and treatment for infectious diseases, including HIV centers, rehab programs, and SSPs (syringe service programs). Online research or referrals should help you find out what’s available in your area.

What role does treatment for addiction play in managing infections?

Addiction treatment includes medical exams that screen for drug use. Stopping drugs limits exposure, increases immunity, and supports medication adherence. Integrated care promotes recovery success.

What other infections besides blood-borne diseases affect drug users?

Beyond bloodborne infections, drug users are also at risk for staph infections, MRSA, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Fungal infections may also occur with HIV and methamphetamine use.

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Addiction and Infectious Disease: Needles to New Infections and How to Break the Cycle