Study links drug use to high rates of syphilis

A recent report published 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 collide with each other.

The report showed a connection between drug use and syphilis cases in heterosexual men and women. According to the report, the use of heroin, methamphetamine and other injection drugs by the aforementioned group almost doubled between 2013 and 2017.

However, the report did not show a similar increase in drug abuse among 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 drivers of this increase 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 prevailed during the 1980s and 1990s. It was observed that during this particular time period, drug use was associated with the highest rates of transmission of syphilis.

According to Patricia Kissinger, a professor of epidemiology at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, it is a common trend among drug abusers to have unprotected sex, exchange sex instead of money or drugs, and have multiple sexual partners. All of these are considered important risk factors that contribute to the spread of the disease.

Syphilis rates are setting new records

Nationwide, syphilis occurrences increased by about 73 percent overall and 156 percent for female patients between 2013 and 2017. While syphilis had been nearly eradicated, lately, the biggest resurgence in the disease was reported 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 transmits the disease to her fetus, leading to premature labor and newborn deaths.

When looking at the syphilis cases that occurred between 2013 and 2017, the researchers found that methamphetamine abuse was the largest contributor. The report revealed 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 overlap of cases of substance abuse and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it becomes difficult to identify and treat people with syphilis. This is because people who use drugs are generally less likely to visit a doctor or report their sexual activities or partners.

Similarly, pregnant women may refrain from seeking prenatal care and getting tested for syphilis due to concerns such as their gynecologists reporting their drug abuse. To combat this problem, CDC calls for greater collaboration between programs that address 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 in California. County Community Health Division Manager Joe Prado said the California Department of Health analyzed about 25 cases of congenital syphilis in 2017 and more than two-thirds of these women were abusing drugs.

To address this problem, the country took proactive steps, such as offering STD testing for patients admitted to inpatient drug treatment centers. Patients who returned for reports received incentives that included gift cards. Apart from this, for patients undergoing drug treatment, the county offered a care package that included 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 worked together before. Typically, these two units tend to focus only on their relevant specialties and often do not screen people for associated diseases 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 rising rates of syphilis. He added that although policies for syphilis testing can be implemented, these policies must be accompanied by adequate 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 rapid deterioration in general health. The best way to avoid contracting these diseases is to avoid using drugs or, if you are addicted, seek help for addiction treatment as soon as possible.

Hillside Mission Drug Rehab Centers offer comprehensive evidence-based substance abuse treatment plans. 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.