Drugs, alcohol and HIV

Getting drunk and taking drugs are two major risks when it comes to getting HIV and other STIs. Why? Because they encourage us do stuff we wouldn't normally.

When you get drunk or high, you're more likely to:

Have sex with someone you wouldn't normally

Have the kind of sex you wouldn't necessarily have when sober

Not use a condom

That self-confident buzz makes you feel like you can take on the world. But as anyone who's met someone on a night out and somehow never had that 'condom conversation' will tell you, it's scarily easy to find yourself in the midst of unprotected sex.

If you use drugs you're twice as likely to pick up HIV through unprotected sex. Poppers, cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and GHB (liquid ecstasy) all make you horny and reduce inhibitions.

Injecting drug users are extremely vulnerable. You can pick up infections, including HIV, through sharing needles or other drug-injecting equipment (including spoons). In fact, sharing such equipment is estimated to be three times riskier than unprotected sex.

If you inject drugs, your sexual partners may inject too. People who use drugs can forget to use clean needles and condoms - putting them (and you) at a high risk of infection.

Reduce your risk

Carry condoms - and use them. You can get them for free from your GP or local genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

Know how much you can drink/take without losing control. Men shouldn't drink more than three to four units of alcohol a day, and women two to three, the department of Health advises.

If you or someone you know is taking or addicted to drugs, seek help as soon as possible. FRANK offers advice and support to those affected by drugs.