cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/9583422

STI/STD (and general germs) Exposure Risks, and Useful Methods of Harm Reduction with Substance Use.

Most everyone at some point has learned something about Sexually Transmitted Infections (used to be called Sexually Transmitted Diseases). And depending on where you heard about them, you probably have mostly correct information regarding the sexual nature of the topic (you should probably double check what you remember, especially if you only learned in public schools, and 100% should if it was in the southern US.).

This post isn’t about safe sex practices, abstinence, or any sex-specific anatomy at all. This is about the illnesses that can be transmitted through sexual contact, and how they can also be transmitted through substance use. Most diseases not typically considered"STI’s", such as the flu, can also be transmitted the same ways, and the risks of contracting them can also be minimized using the same practices. To keep this post simple, The majority of this post will:

• Assume you had a minimum “mediocre” sex-ed course at some point and that you’ve at least heard some terms.
• Treat all common diseases the same instead of specifying which disease can be carried by which method under which circumstances.

Finally, if you’ve got questions, ask in the comments, or message me.

Comments making fun of anyone’s question/comment will be reported, and everyone will know you’re an asshole.

If you spot a comment you think to be misinformation, act like an adult and vote appropriately, and point out what information is incorrect, and why you think it is. Discussion is part of the process and needed, derailing and just general childish tomfoolery is not.

No matter which specific infection(s) we’re talking about, there are basic “catch-all” rules you can follow to avoid the risks of contracting a disease through substance use. Note: many would describe these as “over cautious” in some aspects, and they may be; however, they’re meant to be broad and simple. Any detailed specifics are at the end, or in the comments.

1. Don’t share any equipment that is used to get high. Even if you think you can trust them. If you’re only going to pick one rule to follow, then this is the one.

• Equipment you didn’t get yourself should be assumed to be dirty. Someome else’s needles, straws, pipes, foils etc, all increase your risks of exposure to infectious diseases. Even your friend’s one hitter thats only ever had organic pot in it can have something like herpes. (Dollar Bills too! Even currency fresh from the bank has had hands on it, and is gross no matter how baller you look.)
• This includes water used to dissolve substances for intravenous/nasal/rectal/oral usage. Ideally, fresh distilled water should be used regardless of method or substance. Rectal and oral methods of substance use need clean water, from a fresh bottle or jug. Tap water, or water that’s been sitting open should never be used for any drug use or method.

2. Don’t reuse any needles, syringes, or anything that comes into contact with blood (yours, or someone else’s).

• Sharing of needles is probably the most widely known transmission method of STI’s, especially HIV and Hepatitis. But reusing your own needles carries several serious risks as well.

3. In group settings, think “Chips n Queso”. Treat a bag of drugs (Queso) and your hands/equipment (Chips) the same way you would if sharing a snack at a table full of strangers.

• Drugs that have come into contact with someone elses equipment, or god forbid directly with someone’s fluids, can also transmit diseases. For example, a pile of cocaine on a mirror that someone’s dirty fingers got out, and dirty blade chopped up, or had their dirty straw in, can carry diseases with it.

4. And finally, the most sensible rule for substance use overall, including disease risk reduction: Trust nobody.

• Equipment should be purchased from a store/website/someone that isn’t your dealer, a fellow user, or a fence of stolen goods. Just because you’re familiar with how someone has been in the past, doesn’t mean you can count on them to be the same today. Rapid life changes and substance use often go hand in hand.
• Your dealer who’s always been a straight shooter for years could have had to pay a fine for his car being towed yesterday and now they didn’t have enough money to pay back their own plug. Your friend could have been sexually assaulted at a party last week and hasn’t told you yet. Any number of things could have happened since you last saw someone, and things change.

That’s all I have currently in the way of general disease harm reduction. Yes, there is a slight overabundance of caution to some of them, but I’d argue that its only slight. A straw that only you and your boyfriend have used, that hasn’t gone up a nose with a cut, is probably not going to carry a risk of HIV. But that’s specific to your exact situation, and also includes your own risk assessments based on trust and general health. The tips above are meant to be for everyone, and are also meant to be as easy as possible to follow.

If you have something else you think fits, comment below. I’ll try to keep this post updated as more interactions and information is added.

Drug-Specific, Method-of-Use-Specific, and Disease Specific information and details:

• Harm Reduction Tips for Insufflation (snorting) of illicit substances.

• PrEP for HIV among IV drug users

• Covid-19 and Drug Use