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Suggested Reading
Prescription
Drug Abuse
Synopsis:
Colvin was motivated to write this book when his brother died
after several years of abusing prescribed tranquilizers and sedatives.
He defines the problem, gives reasons for it, lists the most frequently
abused substances, and relates anecdotes describing unwitting addicts.
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I really like him, but then again, I love my life too.
~Jo~
Dr. J Nathan's response
Dear Jo,
As an addition specialist, your question about HIV comes up quite often.
It is important to remember that HIV antibody positivity is very high in the IV drug abusing popuylation. This is not only a problem due to sharing needles, it is also a concern for the unsafe sex that can go on when one is under the influence of psychoactive drugs of any kind.
There is also a 6 month window period when if one is still developing HIV antibodies, it still will not show up in the HIV antibody test.
Also be aware that there is also a high incidence of Hepatitis A,B and C in the IV drug abusing population as well as syphilis. Although type C is not transmitted via non-protected sexual intercourse, types A and B are
transmissable.
The best course of action would be to continue having protected sex. Both of you should be tested for HIV and HepA,B and C and syphilis now. In six months both get re-tested and if you both have stayed momogamous and he has not done any futher injecting or sharing the straw from snoring any drug (Hep C can be transmitted also by sharing the same snorting straw) and you are both still Hepatitis and HIV antibody negative, then unprotected sex would probably be low risk(different from NO RISK).
Please note that there are a lot of presumptions with respect to monogamy, no drug use at least not my injecting or snorting and so there is always going to be a risk in having unprotected sex with this man. You must assess what risks you are willing to take, I cannot make that decision for you.
I hope this helps.
-Joel Nathan, MD-
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