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Facts About Heroin Heroin: HIV & Hepatitus Issues

Click here to return to the first part in the series, “Introduction to Heroin Abuse and Addiction.”

Facts About Heroin Heroin: HIV & Hepatitis Issues

There are two methods of transmission for Heroin users to contract HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), and other infectious diseases; 1. Through sharing and reuse of syringes and injection paraphernalia that have been used by infected individuals, and 2. Through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person. Injection drug users (IDUs) represent the highest risk group for acquiring HIV infection; an estimated 70 to 80 percent of the 35,000 new HCV infections occurring in the United States each year are among IDUs.

NIDA-funded research has found that when people with an opiate addiction like to heroin can change the behaviors that put them at risk for contracting HIV through drug addiction treatment, prevention, and community-based outreach programs. They can eliminate drug use, drug-related risk behaviors such as needle sharing, unsafe sexual practices, and, in turn, the risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. Drug abuse prevention and treatment are highly effective in preventing the spread of HIV. 

Click here to view the next part in the series, “Heroin: Treatment Options Introduction.” Click here to return to the first part in the series, “Introduction to Heroin Abuse and Addiction.”

The above information is from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Research Report Series – “Heroin Abuse and Addiction”. The report is also available at NIDA’s website at www.nida.nih.gov.

Pat Moore Foundation’s drug & alcohol detox and alcohol & drug addiction treatment programs are licensed and certified by The State of California. We provide non-medical and medically managed detoxification (using Suboxone, Subutex, and Buprenorphine when appropriate) and primary residential treatment. Our individual homes are on a unique co-ed campus where we offer gender specific treatment. We are located in Costa Mesa, in Orange County, Southern California, close to Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, and only an hour’s drive from Los Angeles and San Diego. To speak with a counselor, please call us 24-hours at (888) 426-6086 or if you’d like us to contact you, send a confidential message online by filling out our online form.

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