Brief Description
Drug abuse and addiction have always been inextricably linked to HIV/AIDS. For many years, people often believed that this connection was due only to injection drug use and needle sharing. However, this way of thinking greatly underestimates the impact that drug use and abuse can have on the spread of HIV/AIDS through the risky behaviors it engenders. Drug and alcohol intoxication affects judgment and can lead to risky sexual behavior that puts participants at risk of contracting or transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, drug use and abuse can facilitate the progress of HIV infection by further compromising the immune system.
Learn about how NIDA’s AIDS Research Program supports an innovative and multidisciplinary HIV/AIDS research portfolio.
Related Publications
Related NIDA Notes Articles
-
The Present and Promise of mHealth (July 2012)
-
Women and Sex/Gender Differences Research Program (April 2012)
-
Three Scientists Join Advisory Council (December 2010)
-
Crack Cocaine Promotes Progression of HIV Infection to AIDS (October 2010)
-
Four Scientists Receive Avant-Garde Awards (October 2010)
-
James A. Inciardi (1939-2009) (April 2010)
Related News Releases
-
Unprecedented effort to seek, test, and treat inmates with HIV (September 2010)
-
Latent HIV infection focus of NIDA's 2010 Avant-Garde Award (September 2010)
Related Resources
- HIV.drugabuse.gov - Learn the link between drug abuse and the spread of the HIV infection
- d'cisions - A series of Webisodes designed to educate teens and young adults on the link between non-injection drug use and HIV transmission
- "Text Message" and "After the Party" (Public Service Announcements)
- Jack and Jill (Public Service Announcement)
- Message from the NIDA Director - HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse - World AIDS Day 2011
- International AIDS Conference - July 18-23, 2010
- Drug Abuse and Risky Behaviors: The Evolving Dynamics of HIV AIDS - Meeting on May 8-9, 2007
Other Resources
- MEDLINEplus Health Information on Drug Abuse - National Library of Medicine, NIH
- www.abovetheinfluence.com - Office of National Drug Control Policy
- healthfinder.gov - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.
Tags
Featured Publication
Drugs, Brains, and Behavior - The Science of Addiction
As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior.