Alcohol use in HIV patients: what we don't know may hurt us

Our objectives are to evaluate the prevalence of and problems associated wi th alcohol use disorders among HIV patients. We review the literature on al cohol use and HIV. Rates of alcohol use disorders are high among HIV patien ts. The cooccurrence of alcohol use disorders and HIV may lead to medical a nd psychiatric complications, difficulties with HN medication compliance, a nd poorer treatment outcomes. Additionally, alcohol use is associated with risky sexual behaviours and intravenous drug use, the 2 major modes of HIV transmission. Recommendations for screening and treating alcohol problems i n HIV patients are provided.