Coping with AIDS: strategies for patients and staff in drug abuse treatment programs

HIV infection creates difficulties for patients and staff in drug abuse treatment programs. This article reviews significant problems and coping strategies, drawing on experience in a drug abuse treatment program where a third of the patients are HIV infected. Patient-related problems include denial, anger, depression, and isolation. The coping strategies that patients use can exacerbate their illness. Effective coping strategies may involve the development of mutual-support groups and public education. Staff-related problems include the fear of infection, protecting confidentiality, the need to develop new treatment goals, and recognizing the limitations of drug abuse treatment. To lessen the fears of infection, programs can exercise clear body substance precautions, conduct frequent inservice training, and hold periodic updates for staff. To adequately protect confidentiality, programs can keep up with rapidly changing laws and guidelines. To modify treatment goals, programs can alter admission standards for HIV-infected patients, change treatment methods to minimize the impact of occasional relapses, develop medical referral networks, and give special consideration to counselors who treat HIV-infected patients. To cope with the limitations of drug abuse treatment, programs can support counseling staff in coping with emotionally stressful clinical problems and to avoid burnout.