The concern with drinking with HIV is that it lowers the effect of the drugs we take to save our lives. I have been clean and sober for 6 years and my health has corrected itself. I almost died twice before I realized that drinking was killing me. I am an alcoholic and AA has saved my life. Depression and drug and alcohol use are very common among HIV people. The cleaner we live both eating and staying clean and sober will add years to our life's. There is help out there to people who want it.

Been full bown aids 28yrs now & have been an Alcoholic for 33yrs. I DON'T feel as tho I have a Problem. Not in Denial in Any way! 53yrs old, I know Denial. I have Never been in troubl with the law ie: tickets, accidents, & or DUI's~NONE... Also Never been accused or charged with Drunk in public. Just mind my own & ISOLATE! (Whole Nother story) DON'T know Any way other way? I Love to ISOLATE, Just Me! Mind my own business & Don't put Anyone in danger or myself. TIRED of EVERYONE putting their 2 cents in! I KNOW I'm gonna hear it people, let me have it! It Actually helps to hear it from others. Please.

Addiction, well that was my life, note: once and addict always an addict, I have been off drugs and sex addiction since 2/2014. It Is One Day At A Time Still!!!! I did get into a relationship, the most satisfying of my life, sadly he passed with cancer after a short while, and I really had to become strong in memory of him and for myself to not fall back into one or the other addictions. I help others now and it keeps me mentally aware of what I must do for myself. Please ask me anything you want and please know you can break addiction, but you have to find your "authentic self" the one always there but pushed down by life experiences!! Only then can you regain balance in your life, and I seek this every second of everyday it is a lifelong pursuit of self love and more importantly acceptance. I was lost after addiction and unhappy, depressed and all the anxiety, it was/ IS hard but working with the tools of good mental health has worked for me, you have to find your own personal path!!
My story yours will be different, it will be yours!!

@A myHIVteam Member First congratulations on your success, one day at a time for me, I used to do so much wrong when on drugs and never caught anything, became totally committed and got HIV, still my choice to have unprotected sex! It took years to not blame others for my plight!! I am responsible for me and only me, other matter but only if I'm true to myself, letting others down is important as a reminder, for me , as you stated, but I also have to realize I have to Live For Me, no matter what others think about me, it matters more what I think about myself. Respect others and do the right thing!!

For me I was battling sex and alcohol when I was diagnosed. If you are HIV positive those two addictions are extremely dangerous. I have been through therapy for years 26 to be exact. The sex was easiest to beat. When I got some self esteem and self respect I could beat the addition. That and I was so terrified of transmission to another person. I love people and I dont want to harm anyone. Nowadays sex is not a big issue. Alcohol is a different story because I have a chemical desire for alcohol. I struggle everyday not to take a drink. I have to constantly remind myself of the person that I become on alcohol. When I'm drinking I get depressed then I get horny and start having sex with everyone in the room. Right now my fear is getting hepitius or syphilis. My best advice is know your limits and NEVER GO OVER THOSE LIMITS