The argument against HIV-antibody testing in chemical dependence treatment programs

As HIV continues to spread among chemically dependent populations, chemical dependence treatment programs are beginning to address the issue of routine HIV-antibody testing. While there are many rationales given for testing, only two are deemed acceptable in chemical dependence treatment programs: to permit medical personnel to institute therapy promptly; and to assist in behavior modification (risk reduction). Early intervention is deemed premature because federal regulations disallow the use of drugs, such as AZT, until T-4 cell counts are lower than 200. In addition, many clients may not stay in treatment long enough to institute therapy and ongoing treatment. Many experimental drug trials exclude drug addicts and women. Chemically dependent individuals have neither the knowledge nor the funds to obtain experimental drugs from other countries. Moreover, current protocols of HIV test-related counseling are insufficient to assist clients in changing their high-risk behaviors. Many chemically dependent clients who receive a positive test result relapse to drug abuse or act out sexually; many who receive a negative test result deny the need to change behaviors to avoid infection. Additionally, test result validity and discrimination are presented as deterrents to testing. In long-term treatment situations, where HIV/AIDS education and counseling are done over time as part of treatment and where support systems are in place, HIV testing can be an aid in behavior change.