A recent report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established a connection between drug use and high rates of syphilis in the United States. Sarah Kidd, lead author of the report, noted that two major health problems, namely addiction and syphilis, seemed to clash with each other.
The report showed a connection between drug use and syphilis cases in heterosexual men and women. According to the report, the aforementioned group’s use of heroin, methamphetamine and other injection drugs nearly doubled between 2013 and 2017.
However, the report did not show a similar increase in drug abuse in gay men with syphilis. According to the researchers, the study results indicated that risky sexual behaviors associated with drug abuse may be one of the key factors driving this rise in syphilis among the heterosexual population.
People who use drugs are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual activities
According to experts, people who abuse drugs are more likely to engage in dangerous sexual activities, making them more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Syphilis increased significantly among heterosexuals, especially during the “crack cocaine epidemic” that was prevalent during the 1980s and 1990s. It was noted that during this particular time period, drug use was associated with the highest rates transmission of syphilis.
According to Patricia Kissinger, a professor of epidemiology at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, it’s common for people who abuse drugs to have unprotected sex, exchange sex instead of money or drugs, and have multiple partners. sexual. All of these are considered significant risk factors that contribute to the spread of the disease.
Syphilis rates are setting new records
Nationwide, syphilis cases increased by about 73% overall and 156% for female patients between 2013 and 2017. While syphilis had been nearly eradicated, of late, the biggest resurgence of the disease has been registered in California, Louisiana and Nevada. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can cause organ damage and even death in some cases. In women, congenital syphilis usually occurs when a mother passes the disease to her unborn baby, leading to cases of premature birth and newborn deaths.
Looking at syphilis cases that occurred between 2013 and 2017, the researchers found that methamphetamine abuse was the biggest contributor. The report found that more than a third of women and a quarter of heterosexual men with syphilis had abused methamphetamine in the past year. The California Department of Public Health reported that methamphetamine use by people with syphilis doubled for heterosexual men and women between 2013 and 2017.
Why is it difficult to treat sexually transmitted infections?
Due to the overlapping cases of substance abuse and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it becomes challenging to identify and treat people with syphilis. This is because people who use drugs are generally less likely to see a doctor or report their sexual activities or their partners.
Similarly, pregnant women may refrain from seeking prenatal care and being tested for syphilis due to concerns such as their drug abuse being reported by their gynecologists. To combat this problem, CDC encourages greater collaboration between programs that treat substance abuse and programs that address STIs.
Fresno County reported the highest rate of congenital syphilis
According to the report, the highest rate of congenital syphilis was reported in Fresno County, California. County community health division manager Joe Prado said the California Department of Health tested about 25 cases of congenital syphilis in 2017 and that more than two-thirds of these women were drug abusers.
To address this problem, the country took proactive measures, such as offering STD testing for patients admitted to inpatient drug treatment centers. Patients who returned for reports were provided with incentives, including gift cards. Apart from this, for patients undergoing treatment for drug use, the county offered a care package comprising contraceptives and educational materials on STIs.
challenges faced
While it is important to have greater collaboration between STD clinics and drug treatment providers, it is not always that simple, as these two entities have not previously worked together. Typically, these two units tend to focus only on their relevant specialties and often do not test people for associated ailments such as syphilis or other forms of STIs or drug abuse.
According to Jeffrey Kalusner, professor of medicine and public health at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), more resources are needed to combat the rising rates of syphilis. He added that while syphilis testing policies can be put in place, these policies must be accompanied by appropriate resources.
Seeking drug abuse treatment
Drug abuse is often associated with the development of physical illnesses such as hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), syphilis, and other STDs. These infections can be serious and lead to a rapid decline in overall health. The best way to avoid contracting these diseases is to avoid taking drugs or, if you are addicted, to seek addiction treatment help as soon as possible.
Hillside Mission drug rehab centers offer comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plans for substance abuse. Whether you select an inpatient, outpatient, or residential plan, the detoxification process at Hillside Mission is designed to minimize patient discomfort and result in a shorter treatment cycle.