The Linkage of Illicit Drug Use / Alcohol Use and HIV Infection in Young Adults

Context Young adults comprise roughly one-quarter of the global population and are at the developmental stage where personal life goals are formulated and personal independence is obtained. It is also the time of sexual debut and exposure to illicit drug and alcohol. Thus, young adulthood is a time of high-risk for HIV transmission due to drug and alcohol use in the context of sexual activity. Evidence Acquisition Social-networking, gender norms, economic, educational, familial, personal identity and development factors, among others, play a role in linkage of illicit drug and alcohol use and HIV infection in young adults. Results It is estimated that young adults account for 42% of new HIV infections globally, and that 4 million young adults living with HIV reside in sub-Saharan Africa. In Central Asia, Eastern Europe and the United States key populations are important subpopulations of young adults at high-risk for living with HIV. Subpopulations of young adults, particularly key populations, consume illicit drug and alcohol along with high-risk sexual activity thereby establishing linkage between substance use/ substance use disorders and HIV infection. Conclusions Globally, interventions that comprise evidence-based prevention, care and treatment of substance use disorders in young adults are vital to reduce the transmission of HIV infection and promote good clinical outcomes for young adults at-risk for living with HIV.