Substance Use Disorder Intravenous Injection and HIV Infection: AReview

摘要

DSM-V-defined substance use disorder comprises four groups of symptoms: impaired control,social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological reactions. Behavioral patterns ofimpaired control, including impulsivity and risk taking, are associated with HIV riskbehaviors. Substance users with stronger craving symptoms are more likely to use drugs viaintravenous injection than other routes because of the faster drug effect and the higherbioavailability; thus, they are at high risk of HIV infection. HIV risk behaviors such asunprotected sex and intravenous injection facilitate HIV disease spread. Public healthpolicies such as Needle and Syringe Exchange Programs and medication-assisted treatmentare proven to reduce HIV risk behaviors such as the frequency of intravenous injection andeven the incidence of HIV infection, but both of them have limitations. While intravenousinjection is a frequently discussed issue in public policies and the HIV-relatedliterature, it is a much less frequent topic in the addiction literature. We believed thatunderstanding the mental substrate behind impulsivity/risk taking and the possiblebiological mechanism of intravenous injection may help in creating more effectivestrategies to slow down HIV infection.