HIV Infection and Intravenous Drug Use

The Public Health Service has estimated there are 1,100,000 intravenous drug users in the United States, with about 235,000 infected with HIV. Treatment of substance abusers has an extensive and varied history; no consensus has emerged as to which approach works best. The author has compiled information from a vast array of sources to provide this resource guide with the important issues involved in HIV infection and intravenous drug use.

He presents sections on historical background, behavioral antecedents, virology, immunology, incidence, prevalence, HIV testing, treatment, counseling, confidentiality, methodological issues, and the latest scientific findings, based upon his clinical experience and synthesis of the research literature. Physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, health educators, and public health officials who are addressing issues related to HIV infection and intravenous drug use will find this handbook useful.