ERIC ED374374: AIDS and Chemical Dependency.

4 Pages·1992·0.18 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 374 374
CG 025 651
AUTHOR
Pohl, Melvin I.
TITLE
AIDS and Chemical Dependency.
INSTITUTION
Rutgers, 'Ile State Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Center
of Alcohol Studies.
PUB DATE
92
NOTE
4p.
PUB TYPE
Information Analyses (070)
EDRS PRICE
MFO1 /PCO1 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
*Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; *Alcohol
Abuse;
Alcohol Education; Alcoholism; Crack; Diseases; *Drug
Abuse; Drug Addiction; Drug Education; Drug
Use;
Health Education; Marijuana; Patient Education
ABSTRACT
After defining HIV and the AIDS disease
and outlining
symptoms and means of infection, this fact sheet lists
the ways
alcohol and drugs are involved with the AIDS
epidemic, noting that
needle-sharing transmits the virus; that
alcohol or mood-altering
drugs like crack cocaine cause disinhibition,
increase sex drive,
encourage sex for drugs, and affect judgment; that drugs
and alcohol
may be biological co-factors causing HIV to
progress to AIDS; that
many people with HIV infection are diagnosed when seeking
treatment
for chemical dependence and
may have symptoms related to HIV
infection, such as pain, anxiety,
nausea, and fever; and that HIV is
sometimes associated with relapse into
alcohol or other substance
abuse in people who have had
a period of sobriety. The sheet
concludes by outlining commonly-used and
now blood tests for
diagnosing HIV, and by discussing medical,
psychological,
nutritional, and lifestyle
means of managing AIDS infection. Chemical
dependency professionals have the expertise
necessary to provide
supportive, nurturing, and successful healthcare
for those with HIV
infections and AIDS. (MSF)
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AIDS and Chemical Dependency
by Melvin I. Pohl
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2
New Jersey Alcohol / Drug
RESOURCE CENTER AND CLEARINGHOUSE
I
I
'Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University I
sys
Melvin 1. Pohl, M.D.
HIV infection who is either an IV drug
tion combined with evidence of in-
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syn-
addict, the sexual partner of an IV
fectionof thebrain(encephalopathy).
drome (AIDS) is the most serious epi-
drug addict, or both.
HIV encephalopathy or dementia
demicfacingour society today. AIDS,
presents as problems with thinking,
first recognized in a group of gay men
Alcohol and drugs are involved with
in 1981, is responsible for hundreds of
the AIDS epidemic in several ways:
thousands of deaths worldwide.
1) Sharing a needle previously used
by an infected addict transmits the
AIDS is a disorder of the immune
virus in the blood left in the syringe
system caused by human immuno-
and needle.
deficiency virus (HIV), formerly
2) People under the influence of alco-
called HTLV-III. The immune sys-
hol or mood-altering drugs tend not
tems of some individuals who are
to practice the safe sexual behaviors
infected with HIV are subject to de-
that prevent HIV transmission. Spe-
terioration over time.
cifically, crack use is associated with
disinhibition, increased sex drive, and
Initially, infection appears similar to
behaviors that encourage sex for
a viral illness with fever, swollen
drugs. Furthermore, people whose
lymph nodes, and body aches. After
udgement, memory, mood, and
judgement is affected by drinking al-
the initial infection, the virus enters
cohol or smoking marijuana fre-
other brain functions. AIDS also can
specialized cellsof thebody'simmune
quently have unsafe sex despite
system (T-4 lymphocytes) and be-
positive people
be diagnosed
knowledge of the potential danger of
with "wasting syndrome", charac-
comes dormant for a period of time.
risky sexual behaviors.
terized by severe weight loss, fever,
This period of dormancy is called the
and diarrhea.
"incubation period."
3) Medical scientists believe that drugs
and alcohol may be co-factors causing
Some people remain infected and
HIV infection to progress to AIDS.
HIV is spread between people in two
ways: 1) by sexual contact, when
without apparent symptoms for ten
Alcohol increases the susceptibility of
semen or vaginal fluid enters an-
T-cells to HIV infection. Cocaine in-
years orlonger. Othersbecome symp-
other person's body, or 2) by ex-
tomatic over time with mild infec-
creases the replication rate of HIV-
change of blood by transfusion or
infected cells.
tions, swollen nodes, weight loss, fa-
4) Many people with HIV infection
tigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea
needle sharing. It is highly unlikely
arediagnosed whenseelcingtreahnent
that enough virus is present in tears,
and mood changes. Still others go on
for their chemical dependence. They
to develop "full-blown AIDS." AIDS saliva, sweat, urine or feces to cause
may also have symptoms related to
transmission of HIV between people.
is defined by the occurrence of infec-
tions with germs that usually do not
To date, there are no reports of HIV
their HIV infection, such as pain, anxi-
ety, depression, nausea, fever, and
infection caused by casual contact.
cause illness in people with normally
functioning immune systems. These diarrhea. All of these symptoms may
The majority of reported cases of
include Pneumocystis pneumonia,
require mood-altering medications for
AIDS in the United States occur in
control.
Toxoplasmosis, Cytomegalovirusand
other serious viral bacterial, proto-
gay men. Many other cases occur in
5) HIV infection is sometimes associ-
zoal, or fungal infections. Other
ated with relapse in people who have
IV drug addicts. The number of cases
Lf1
in people whose only exposure is
had a period of sobriety. Relapse is
people with AIDS develop unusual
through heterosexual contact is in-
often related to receiving a positive
forms of cancer such as Kaposi's Sar-
HIV diagnosis, progression of the ill-
creasing. Most cases of AIDS in chil-
coma (KS) or lymphoma. AIDS is also
Lc %
dren are caused by a mother with
diagnosed if a person has HIV infec-
ness, and losses related to the illness.
O
3
CD
FACT MET, Iff2
CIZAINNONOM
C.)
from taxing situations, were self-
medical treatment is prevention of
The blood test most commonly used
nurturing and had communication
opportunistic infections. There are
for HIV is the Elisa test. Positive Elisa
Lastly, they involved them-
many experimental clinical trials
skills.
tests need to be confirmed by a more
selves in social support networks with
available that are being undertaken
specific blood test called the Western
others who have the same illness.
through the public health service. For
Blot Test. Both tests identify antibod-
further information call the AIDS
ies to HIV rather than actual virus.
Chemical dependency professionals
We presume that people who test
Clinical Trials Information Service at
have the necessary expertise to pro-
positive can transmit the virus to oth-
1-800-TRIALS-A.
vide supportive, nurturing and suc-
ers. There is a lag time between infec-
cessful healthcare for people with
Medical interventions are an impor-
tion and the development of antibod-
tant part of caring for people with
HIV infectionsand AIDS. People with
ies. Typically, people develop anti-
HIV infection and their caregivers
bodies within six weeks of infection,
HIV and AIDS. Psychological, nutri-
but sometimes it may take several
must treat HIV as a chronic manage-
tional, and lifestyle changes also sup-
able illness rather than as a death
months. In rare instances, some
port a long and manageable course
sentence. Looking only at the possi-
people do not develop antibodies to
with HIV infection, supplementing
bility of death may set up a chemi-
HIV at all after infection.
medical interventions. One study sug-
cally dependent person to relapse in
gested that patients do better if they
There are several newer methods to
the face of HIV disease.
accept the reality of their diagnosis,
test for evidence of HIV infection in-
take personal responsibility for their
Many people with AIDS and chemi-
cluding P-24 antigen and polymerase
health, find a new sense of meaning
cal dependence find that they can
chain reaction (PCR). Both test for the
and purpose in life, and make a com-
mitment to finish unfinished busi-
embrace the experience of living with
presence of viral particles.
these chronic illnesses. They find
ness. The study further showed that
strength and health on this path, thus
The decision to take an HIV test or to
long-term survivors collaborated with
redirecting their lives, one day at a
recommend that someone take such
the healthcare team, were physically
a test must be individualized. This
fit, were assertive, could withdraw
time.
decision should depend upon a
person's ability to understand the
Referent-CS
implications of taking the test, and
also on her or his psychological abil-
Bagasra, 0., Kajdacsy-Balla, A. , & Lischner, I-LW., (1989). Effects of alcohol
ity to deal with the results. Each per-
ingestion min vitro susceptibility of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to
son must make their own decision,
infection with HIV and of selected T-cell functions. Alcoholism: Clinical and
with the assistance of knowledgeable
Experimental Research,13, 636-643.
counselors, if and when it is appro-
priate to take the test.
Bagasra, 0. , & Formon, L. (1989). Functional analysis of lymphocyte sub-
populations in experimental cocaine abuse: 1. Dose-dependent activation of
Once a disabling fatal illness, HIV
lymphocyte subsets. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 77, 289-293.
infection and AIDS are now chronic
xnanageablecomlitions for many, due
Pohl, M., Kay, D., & Toft, D. (1990). The caregivers' journey: When you love
principally to expertise in diagnosis
someone with AIDS. Center City, MN: Hazelden.
and new treatments. Medical treat-
ment of HIV includes antiviral sub-
ngS fees I Miller Ill 1.0
stances such asZidovudine (formerly
AZT), DDI, DDC and others. These
substances directly affect the ability
Siegel, L , & Korcoch, M. (1989). AIDS: The drug and alcohol connection. Center
of the virus to multiply itself. They
City, MN: Hazelden.
appear to slow viral progression even
Tilleras, P. (1990). Circle of hope. Center City, MN: Hazelden.
before symptoms occur. Other sub-
stances that stimulate the immune
Tilleras, P. (1988). Color of light. Center City, MN: Hazelden.
system and counteract the effects of
the virus include interferon and
interleukin II. The third avenue of
The New Jersey AleohoilDntg Resource Cotter soul Clearinghouse saves institutions of
higher educntion,steteagenam,communitimend mita°, districts throughout thestate of New jersey
by providing Sethi**, assistance, training ,and resources in alcohol end other drug abuse education
Melvin I. Pohl, M.D.
and prevention. For more information on the Claningittnue, all or write to:
is the Medical Director for PRIDE
NJ Alcohol /Drug Resource Center & aeminghouseCenter of Alcohc? Studies
Institute in Eden Prairie, MN, and is in
Swatting Hell-Busch Campus
Rutgers University, Piseetewey, N f 08855-0969
private practice in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(908) 981.- 0964 FAX [phone]
01992
He is the co-author of
RIME
The Caregiver's Journey:
When you low eornione with AIDS.
CLEARINGHOUSE FACT SHEETS MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY QUANMY FOR EDUCATIONAL USE