Drug in the Family

The Affects of HIV/AIDS on the Addicts Family

According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) New York is reporting the highest number of AIDS cases which adds up to 162,442 cumulative cases in 2003, and of that 6684 are new cases. People, who abuse drugs especially those who use drugs intravenously, put themselves at great risk to contracting this disease. Families with HIV/AIDS caretakers face numerous challenges.

There is no cure available for HIV or Aids, but it is no longer the disease that could kill you in 3-6 months either. There are people who have been living with HIV for 15 and more years and are doing well. The family needs to educate themselves on different treatments and medications available to them and the side effects. Families with small children have to deal with how to deal with telling the child or not telling the child, and the likelihood that eventually this person will die as a result of the disease. The best way to deal with this is to take of you from the start.

A healthcare provider should be chosen as soon as possible for evaluation and for the person to decide among the various options available. There are various drugs on the market to slow the progress of HIV or improve the quality of life for the PWA. Combivir is a combination of two drugs in one. There are alternative methods to prescription medications such as Chinese acupuncture and herbal treatments. The doctor and the patient will come up with a course of treatment that is suitable. Fortunately there is a program in New York State called ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program.) This program provides free medication for the treatment of AIDS and HIV. They also have a primary care services at selected ...