January 11, 2008

Recreational Drug Use Had Little Effect on Immune Cells

Use of recreational drugs, like marijuana and cocaine, appeared to have little impact on CD4 or CD8 cells, say the authors of a study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Chun Chao, PhD, of the department of epidemiology at Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California at Los Angeles, and her colleagues examined survey data and medical records from men who have sex with men (MSM) enrolled in the national Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), which began enrolling in 1984.

All of the men in the study, both those who were HIV positive and HIV negative, filled out surveys reporting their use of alcohol and recreational drugs and had their CD4 and CD8 cell counts measured at regular intervals over the course of time. Because triple combination antiretroviral therapy could have masked any effects of the recreational drugs on CD4 and CD8 counts in people who are HIV positive, Chao’s team focused on the years prior to 1996, when triple combination therapy was introduced.

The team found no statistically significant associations between use of marijuana, cocaine, poppers or amphetamines and CD4 and CD8 cell counts, percentages or rates of change in either HIV-positive or -negative men. This held true even in men who reported frequent (at least weekly) or continuous substance use in the previous year.

Though Chao’s team state that their study indicates that recreational drugs do not appear to have an impact on a person’s immune status, other studies have found a connection between heavy use of alcohol or drugs and poorer medication adherence and overall health and survival in people living with HIV.

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Previous Comments:

Rafael, Manila, 2008-07-10 18:53:22
can this be true?...i am also a heavy meth user for 18 years i consumed .5 grams to 2 grams and was diagnosed with HIV later 2008...but i did not have any an protected sexual contact...i work in China , but still Meth heavily when i go home to my country and later i was told that i am HIV positive...please enlighten me?

justaboy, Phoenix, 2008-02-05 02:45:12
After beginning weekly use of meth, smoked, my CD4's jumped from their regular 500's to mid 650's ....

bruno, jacksonville,fl, 2008-01-25 20:43:54
marijuana, cocaine, poppers or amphetamines not meth was mentioned ...so if you snorted meth it affects your immune system differently than if you smoked it or slammed it...ignorant i say not...also if you use recreatinal drug ( which refers to using on occassion ) unlike being a marathon user..i know individuals using who dont know when to stop.....ignorant i say not...so there is a big difference between a recreational user and a heavy meth addict ....ignorant i say not

Gary, Jacksonville, FL, 2008-01-16 07:22:33
I, myself and my experience quite contradicts this study. I'm a former Heavy Meth user who's CD4 went from 912 to under 200 in a year and a half. Once you educate yourself on the physiology of drugs, you can call this study IGNORANT to say the least.

R. H. Keller MD, Hollywood Fla., 2008-01-15 12:21:44
It is clear that there was an effective of evwen less than adequatre antiretroviral regimens on CD4 counts at least. ?In studies done by my group ast the Medical College of Wisconsin in conjunction with a trial of Isoprinosine in HIV (before any approved drugs)) and reported to the FDA marijuana use within 24 hours of testing resulted in a significant decrease in CD4 counts. When samples were incubated in media for 24 hours in physiologic conditions, the decrease was reversed.

Vickie, Tampa, 2008-01-15 08:51:19
I found this study interesting becuase when I used cocaine for the roughly 20 years and I was HIV positive the entire time. No it did not effect my CD4 counts but it definetly affected my adherence. I am now in recovery, with almost two years clean but becuase of my lack of adherence I am resistant to almost all of the medicaton currently on the market. We may start out using recreationally - drug use is a progressive disease. If you feel you need help contact your local Narcotics Anonymous