Just Medicine 23. Infectious Disease Care Considerations in Patients with Concurrent Substance Use
Aug 29, 2024
In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Victoria Weaver, a pioneering physician specializing in both infectious diseases and addiction medicine, dives into her dual expertise. She explores the unique challenges in treating infectious diseases among substance users, including trauma and hospital avoidance. Dr. Weaver discusses ethical dilemmas in care, the rising rates of syphilis linked to substance use trends, and the importance of multidisciplinary teams. Her insights on harm reduction strategies and the need for compassion in healthcare are both eye-opening and essential.
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Infections Follow Social Inequity
- Infectious diseases and substance use are deeply connected because infections follow poverty and systemic disenfranchisement.
- Treating substance use can act as a form of source control to prevent recurrent infections.
Adapt Treatments For Real-World Access
- Use evidence-based oral antibiotic regimens and less frequent dosing where safe to improve outpatient access.
- Provide peer navigators and address substance use needs to support treatment completion.
Broad Infection Risk With Substance Use
- Almost every infection is more common among people who use substances, from skin infections to HIV and hepatitis C.
- Rising syphilis and STIs intersect with substance use and survival sex work, increasing public health risk.