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 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
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.