When Your Partner Has a Drug or Alcohol Problem(PDF) It's tough enough when a friend has a problem with drugs or alcohol. It's even more complicated when your partner does. It's simply harder to see things objectively or to separate yourself from the effect of your partner's addiction when you're so emotionally, physically, and often financially intertwined. He needs help, and you need help. So who's left to help the relationship?
When Your Friend Has a Drug or Alcohol Problem(PDF) From the outside, addiction can seem hard to explain, frustrating, and contrary to all logic, especially when it's someone close to you with the problem. How long do you watch the harm being done before you step in? How can I help when I don't even understand what's going on?
Queer Drug and Alcohol Resource Guide Information from the Gay Men, Drug Use and HIV Workgroup including descriptions of types of popular party/club drugs and how it affects the body, how to get drug and alcohol treatment in King County, how to tell if you're using too much and links and resources.
Trail to Treatment This guidebook is for outreach workers, case managers, counselors and other front line staff who refer adults to alcohol and drug treatment in Seattle and King County.
All about abscesses(PDF) An abscess is a pocket of pus which means you have an infection. What causes an abscess? Drug shooters often get abscesses on their arms or legs at injection sites.
Cotton facts and tips(PDF) Cotton fever is probably not caused by cotton fibers. It's more likely caused by bacteria that live in the cotton. Cotton can grow a lot of bacteria, especially after it gets wet.
Crystal -- What You Should Know(PDF) For some men, crystal meth is an integral part of gay culture and their personal, social and sexual identities. Unfortunately, it also plays an undeniable role in the rise of HIV, STDs, and addiction in our community. There are many decisions to make about crystal: How can I minimize its risks? How do I stop? Should I even try it?
Endocarditis Bacterial endocarditis is an infection in the lining or valves of your heart. How does it happen? One way that bacteria get into the blood is by using needles that aren't sterile.
Hard to hit veins? Abscesses? Visit the Public Health Vein Care Specialist. Click here for details.
Muscling and Skin PoppingMuscling is when you inject into muscle instead of a vein. Skin-popping is when you inject between skin and fat layers. Muscling and skin-popping allow germs to "sit" inside muscle and fat tissue or under the skin. These are great places for abscesses and other infections to brew.
What does your needle look like? Use a brand new needle everytime you inject. See microscopic photos of needle tips as they deteriorate after repeated use. Reusing needles increases your chances of getting abscesses, infections and blown veins.
