Alcohol

Safer Use

Alcohol counts as the widespread drug number 1 and also claims a top position as a “party drug”.
Alcohol has in smaller amounts a stimulating, relaxing and disinhibiting effect. In larger doses it often leads to overestimation of one’s own capabilities, disturbance of equilibrium, petulance, and aggression.
It can lead to reduced self-control and blackouts.
Through excessive consummation of alcohol the risk of slow mental and physical addiction exists. The transition from pleasure via habituation through to addiction is subtle! In the end liver damages like cirrhosis can occur.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach, try to leave it at one drink, and allow yourself some water in between.
To abstain from alcohol intake during pregnancy.
Not drink when alone at home and because of boredom.
Take deliberate breaks in alcohol consumption.
The poly use of alcohol and GHB/GBL and other sedative substances like ketamine is very dangerous. These substances mutually amplify each other. It can lead to comatose conditions. Furthermore an increased risk of respiratory arrest exists.
When using cocaine the effect of alcohol cannot really be perceived. One has the feeling of being capable of drinking more, which obviously is not true. So it often leads to overestimation of one’s own capabilities. Risk of alcohol poisoning, coma, and respiratory arrest.
You have the feeling you have been consuming too much? The local alcohol counsellors are happy to help you along!

Alcohol can lead one into being more sexually adventurous. Clear beforehand which sexual practices both partners want and which not.
Keep the overview and only drink so much that you still can resist and still recognise your partner’s defence mechanisms. During severe drunkenness you can lose control over the situation, which prevents you from speaking for and against sex.
Before getting down to business, get sufficient amounts of sex utensils (gloves, condoms, lubricant) ready.
The anaesthetic effect from alcohol can hinder erection and ejaculation. Heavy drinking can lead to impotence.
Alcohol influences the impairment of judgement and can increase one’s readiness to assume a risk. Abstaining from safer sex increases the risk of getting infected with HIV and other STDs.
Alcohol has an influence on the sensation of pain. Caution during injury-prone sex practices (fisting, S/M). Here there is a risk of getting a hepatitis C infection.
Pay attention to your body! If you notice any abnormalities, go to the doctor immediately. When having changing sex partners get tested for sexually transmitted diseases every 6 months and get vaccinated against hepatitis A/B.

Take drugs and HIV medication at staggered intervals. This may reduce interactions somewhat. Always keep the dose of drugs low when taking medication at the same time.
Often the night will be long – take sufficient medication with you and keep to your schedule.
Talk to your doctor about the interaction of your HIV drugs with intoxicants!
There are no acutely threatening interactions between HIV drugs and alcohol.
If protease inhibitors or Viramunen are taken simultaneously, liver-damaging effects are intensified.
Taking Videx alone increases the risk of life-threatening pancreatitis. Caution, alcohol abuse weakens the immune system!
Information on interactions between substances and HIV drugs can be found here.

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