Is There a Correlation Between Sexually Trasmitted Diseases and Drug Abuse?

Behaviors that are associated with abuse of drugs have been established as one of the factors that contribute to the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases can come in the form of HIV infection, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia infections.

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Infections and Drug Use

A study on arrested boy and girl juveniles conducted by Dr. Richard Dembo and several colleagues from University of South Florida and the Temple University in Philadelphia have found a significant correlation between the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea infections, and the use of cocaine and marijuana. The findings were confirmed by urine tests. A survey was also conducted to the same subjects, and the surveys yield additional evidence confirming that drug abuse is a primary risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases. It has been established that sexual activity while using drugs was at 8% for boys and 9% among girls. This is considered as the second common risk factor for the boys and third risk factor for the girls. The second risk factor for the girls would be sexual assault at 10%. On the other hand, the primary risk factor is heterosexual intercourse without the use of a condom at 21% for boys and 24% for girls. The result of the study indicates that there is a need to have sexually transmitted disease testing, as well as treatment to all arrested juveniles for the purpose of improving the health of the population which lacks access to health care.

HIV Infection and Drug Abuse

HIV infection can cause AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This condition is characterized by a defect on the natural immunity of the body to diseases. People who have this condition are at risk for developing severe health conditions. Even if people who have AIDS may survive for many years with proper treatment and intervention, there is no known vaccine or cure for this condition. The sharing of used and unsterile needles, rinse water, cotton swabs, and cookers when injecting illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine can actually leave any drug user vulnerable to transmitting, as well as contracting, HIV infection. In addition to these, simply using and abusing drugs regardless of whether needles are used or not can also increase the risk of contracting HIV for drug users. A research conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute of Drug Abuse has shown that drug as well as alcohol abuse can actually interfere with a person’s judgment regarding sexual behaviors. Thus, these can affect the chance of engaging in an unprotected and unplanned sexual activity. In return, this can significantly increase the risk of contracting HIV from sex partners who are already infected by HIV. Infection Rates In 2002, an estimated 28% of reported AIDS cases among adolescents and adults were considered related to injection drug abuse. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention analysis of the HIV data, a total of 209,920 or 25% of the accumulative total of 859,000 reported AIDS cases were associated to injection drug abuse. From the year 1998 to 2002, there was a likely 240,268 AIDS cases that were directly related to the injection drug use. The males account around 72% of the total cases. Over the same time, there is a gradual decline in the numbers of AIDS diagnoses that are related to injection drug use for both females and males.

Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Disease Among Injected Drug Abusers

Evidence actually suggests that treatment for drug abuse can actually help avoid the spread of sexually transmitted disease, especially when this is combined with community based programs and prevention programs for people who are at risk. Such efforts can reduce, or perhaps eliminate, drug abuse as well as the drug related risk behaviors, minimizing the risks of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. If someone believes or knows someone who may be putting themselves at risk of serious health problems, he or she should seek help by calling a drug help line.

What to Do if Your Child Begins Using Alcohol

Dealing with an addiction or substance abuse of any kind with a family member is extremely emotionally exhausting. When you suspect that your child is abusing alcohol, it can be difficult to accept, much less confront the problem yourself. If you believe your child may be using alcohol, there are a few methods to help truly determine whether or not this is the case.

How to Tell if Your Child is Using Alcohol or Drugs

Each child is different in their actions and everyday behaviors, so observing your child for any drastic changes is the first step to determine whether or not alcohol abuse may be prevalent. If your child has started to hang out with a new group of friends, has become socially withdrawn, or has even asked for more money than usual, a drug or alcohol problem may be possible. Keep track of your child's regular behaviors, as well as any odd behaviors you have exhibited yourself. Tracking your child's schedule can also help you to gain any insight into other activities they may be partaking in when you are not around. You can also search your child's drawers and under the mattress in their bedroom if you suspect they are hiding alcohol in the home. Although searching your child's room may feel drastic, it may be necessary if you have enough evidence to prove that your children have been illegally using alcohol.

Short-Term Effects of Use

If you have caught your child in the act of drinking or while they are clearly intoxicated, there are a few common signs to be aware of while confronting them. Slurring words, having difficulty standing or balancing, and even losing the ability to properly coordinate the eyes are all common signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Hangovers and headaches are also common in individuals who are not prepared to drink alcohol or if it is unfamiliar to them. Smelling alcohol on your child's breath is a surefire way to determine whether or not they are drinking it themselves.

Get Educated

Before you confront your child about their alcohol use, it is important to get educated about alcohol yourself, especially with the short and long-term effects it provokes. The more you know about alcohol, the easier it will be to convey a proper message to your child. Also, it is important to read about how alcohol can ultimately cause memory loss, liver diseases, and even the risk of death in the case of an overdose.

Confronting Your Child

Once you are ready to speak directly to your child, it is important to avoid doing so while they are drunk or clearly intoxicated. If your child is under the influence of alcohol, speaking to them about their choices at the time may have little or reversed effects from those that you desire. Speak to your child with authority, but without being condescending to them for their actions. It is important to accept that your child has found access to these items while taking the appropriate steps to move forward and ensure it does not happen again. Create a dialogue with your child about the use of alcohol and drugs, and why it is essential to avoid it for the sake of their health and futures. The more open, honest, and direct you are with your child, the higher your chances are of getting a response and having a discussion rather than an argument. Create a plan that works for you and your child to help them from stopping alcohol use. Express your concern and support to get your child through the process so they do not feel alone and feel the need to turn back to alcohol or other drugs. If your child might require professional treatment, seek alcohol help. Meta: What to do if your child begins using alcohol is get educated and speaking directly to your child about using alcohol and drugs to create a positive influence.

What Is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis is given to those who are suffering from both substance abuse and mental illness. Individuals begin with one disorder; then the other develops, often as a result of the first disorder. In order for treatment to be effective, it must take into account both aspects of the comorbid disorders in the dual diagnosis.

Mental Illness and Drug or Alcohol Use

Patients suffering from mental illness often turn to drugs or alcohol in the hopes that using these substances will make them feel better. For a short time, these drugs have the desired effect. Drugs or alcohol can improve mood, increase energy, and increase a sense of well-being. Sometimes this process is referred to as "self-medicating," as the individuals attempt to feel better by the use of substances instead of seeking treatment for their mental illness symptoms. That is, until the body develops a tolerance for the drug. Then more of the drug is needed to obtain the desired effect. Long-term use and increased tolerance can lead to addiction, either physical, psychological, or both.

Drug or Alcohol Use and Mental Illness

Drug and alcohol use cause changes in the brain over a period of time. This is due to a flood of dopamine brought on by many substances that can damage brain cells and nerve receptors. Over time, production of several types of neurotransmitters can decrease resulting in many problems, including those affecting mood and personality. These changes to the brain can result in many symptoms associated with mental illness. These symptoms include:

• Depression
• Mania
• Anxiety
• Aggressive or violent behavior
• Delusional thoughts
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia

How Prevalent is Dual Diagnosis

People receive a dual diagnosis quite frequently. According to statistics provided by Mental Health America, dual diagnosis occurs at the following prevalence rates:

• Alcohol abusers: 37 percent also have a mental illness
• Drug Abusers: 53 percent have a mental illness
• Those diagnosed with mental illness: 29 percent abuse drugs or alcohol

Increased Risk of Drug Use Depending on Mental Illness

Most people with mental illness actually have an increased risk of developing drug or alcohol abuse, more so than those without mental illness. This is due to chemical imbalances in the brain that need to be handled with medical treatment. Some mental illnesses carry a greater risk of developing substance abuse than others. For example, those who suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and antisocial personality disorder are over ten times more likely to suffer from dual diagnosis than the general population. Those with anxiety, panic disorder, and severe depression are approximately four times more likely than the general population to suffer dual diagnosis.

Which Came First?

Doctors cannot always pinpoint whether the mental illness or the substance abuse problem came first, though through a lot of questions and answers there is usually some clue when making that diagnosis. However, it is important that individuals are off of the drugs or alcohol before a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and begin proper treatment for both problems.

Treating Those with Dual Diagnosis

After detoxification from substances, those with dual diagnosis should receive treatment for both, their mental illness and substance abuse issues. Medication may be necessary to treat the symptoms of the mental illness, depending on the diagnosis. Individual and group counseling can be effective for both getting addiction help and dealing with mental illness.

Source

Mental Health America: Dual Diagnosis Meta: What is dual diagnosis? Dual diagnosis is rehabilitation treatment that is given to those who are suffering from both substance abuse and mental illness.

The Long-Term Effects On Children Whose Parents Are Drug Addicts

Drug addiction is very serious. It becomes even more serious if you have children. If you are addicted to drugs and have children at home, you can negatively affect their lives for a very long time. They can even end up resenting you for doing drugs. In fact, some children are taken away from their parents because they are not deemed responsible. Here are some of the long-term effects on children whose parents are drug addicts.

Physical

If a mother used drugs while she was pregnant with her child, she can severely impact his development. Using drugs while pregnant can lead to low birth weight, low blood sugar, breathing difficulties, and brain damage. The baby might also be born dependent on the drug and suffer withdrawal symptoms like muscle spasms, tremors, and sleeplessness.

Educational

A child with a drug addicted parent is much more likely to do poorly in school. If a child lives with a drug addicted parent, she is much more likely to be depressed and worried all the time, which will make her lose interest in school. She will be too stressed to do her work at home and likely not pay much attention in school. Instead of paying attention to her teacher, she will just think about how bad things are at home. Many children with drug addicted parents get so behind in school that they eventually drop out.

Emotional

Living in a home with a drug addicted parent can have a substantial emotional impact on a child. When a child grows up in a home that is so unstable, she is much more at risk of developing anxiety and depression. A parent who is on drugs can act very inappropriately scaring a child, and causing emotional scars for years or even their lifetime.

Substance Abuse

A child who is around drug abuse is much more likely to use and abuse drugs in the future. Using drugs might be the only thing she knows, so she naturally starts using them. This unhealthy cycle will continue generation to generation until someone steps up and seeks help.

Displacement

If social workers believe that a drug addicted parent is neglecting her child, they will remove the child from the home and place her in a group or foster home. If the parent takes a long time to get her act together, the child can bounce from one foster home to the other for years. The child will not have any stability in her life and might exhibit aggressive behavior as a result of her frustration. As you can see, children are severely affected by drug abuse. If you are addicted to drugs and have children, you need to seek rehabilitation treatment right away. If you check into a rehab center, you can overcome your drug addiction and be there for your children. It will take a lot of hard work and patience, but it will be worth it in the end. Your children will love you for seeking help for yourself. Meta: The long-term effects on children whose parents are drug addicts are devastating. These effects will negatively influence every aspect of a child's life.