Transitions to and from Injecting

Exploring motivations to stop injecting in English prisons: qualitative research with former male prisoners

“…For example, identifying their triggers and risk factors for re‐instating injecting on release could help protect against this alongside ensuring the provision of targeted harm reduction educational information about possible overdose and other risks associated with re‐instating injecting on release. Reinforcing the transition of stopping injecting and their identity as non injectors may be beneficial when developing their strategies for coping in desensitising situations either when still in prison or on release (Southwell, 2005). This could encourage less risky behaviour patterns adopted in prison to become longer term patterns of use by continuing on release rather than transitions back to injecting.…”

“…They may also incur trouble from other prisoners if their injecting drug use is discovered. Considering these issues alongside the fact that many injecting drug users receive custodial sentences and prison populations throughout the world contain an over representation of injecting drug users (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, 2012;Fazel et al, 2006;Shewan et al, 2005;World Health Organization, 2003, 2005, prison injecting has long been a topic of international discussion. Prison officials, politicians, harm reductionists and health practitioners treating injecting drug users and counsellors working with drug injectors amongst others have been involved in such discussions.…”

Multiple routes of drug administration and HIV risk among injecting drug users

“…There is evidence that reverse transition may occur, with IDUs switching to non-injecting (Southwell, 2005; Des Jarlais et al, 2007). IDUs using multiple routes could be a potential group for targeting such transition.…”

“…IDUs using multiple routes could be a potential group for targeting such transition. Additional interventions might incorporate promoting alternatives to injecting, social marketing campaigns to reinforce the positive identity of non-injectors, non-injecting treatment options to encourage reverse transition or short-term prescribing to lower the tolerance (Southwell, 2005). The possibility that some laws and policies may promote injecting as a route of transmission should also be considered.…”

“…Injecting drug users (IDUs) often combine drugs using multiple substances and routes of administration associated with particularly elevated risks (Southwell, 2005). There is evidence that while IDUs are at high risk of HIV through equipment sharing, the specific drugs injected (e.g.…”