In
Seattle, almost half (45%) of gay and bisexual guys who inject
crystal are HIV+.
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Are
you concerned about the impact of your drug use on your health?
If
you said yes, then read on.
This section
of www.crystalneon.org is intended for HIV+ gay and bisexual men
who use crystal and other party drugs. If you are HIV+, frequent
use of party drugs may have a negative impact on your health. Science
has proven that the use of some legal and illegal drugs, including
alcohol and tobacco, can weaken the immune system. A weakened immune
system is going to make it harder for your body to fight off infections
and tumors.
Also, many drug
users find it difficult to Eat,
Drink, & Sleep when they're high. Not taking proper
care of your body's basic needs will further weaken your body's
natural defenses. Have you noticed that you're more likely to catch
a cold after a weekend run? And, lowering your body's natural defenses
is going to make it more likely that you'll pick up a sexually transmitted
disease, if you have sex that's risky.
When you shoot
drugs, impurities and bacteria go directly into your blood stream
along with the drug. This can be as harmful for your immune system
as the drugs themselves. If you are going to inject, remember Do
Not Share or reuse any drug injection equipment, including
syringes, cottons, cookers, water, water bottles, or tourniquets.
Not everyone
who is HIV+ will have health problems because of their drug use.
Still, the best advice if you're HIV+ is to stop
or cut
back on your use of crystal and other party drugs. NEON
realizes that some of you aren't ready or don't want to stop partying
that's just not where you are in your life. So, if you are going
to continue partying, read on to
learn more about how you can reduce the harm that drug use can have
on your health and well being.
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