HIV

Drugs, Alcohol and HIV

Because of the dangers of injection drug use, the best way to lower your risk is to stop injecting drugs. If you need help to stop using drugs, please talk to your VA provider or visit maketheconnection.net.

If you do inject drugs, follow these reminders:

• Never reuse or "share" syringes, water, or drug preparation equipment.
• Use only syringes obtained from a reliable source (such as pharmacies and needle or syringe services programs).
• Use a new, sterile syringe each time to prepare and inject drugs. If this is not possible, sterilize your syringe or disinfect your syringe and other equipment with bleach.
• If possible, use sterile water to prepare drugs; otherwise, use clean water from a reliable source (such as fresh tap water).
• Use a new or disinfected container ("cooker") and a new filter ("cotton") to prepare drugs.
• Clean the injection site with a new alcohol swab prior to injection.
• Safely dispose of syringes after one use.

Drugs and Alcohol: Resources

• VA Substance Use Resources
  Information about how to get help for substance use through VA.
• Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
  Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Information Page on Alcohol and HIV
  Information on short- and long-term effects of drinking, with specific information on people who are HIV positive. AIDSmap.
• Rethinking Drinking
  Research-based information on alcohol and health, with tools for evaluating drinking habits, and tips for cutting back or quitting. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
• Harm Reduction Coalition
  Resources for accessing clean syringes, naloxone and additional tools for harm reduction.