How does substance abuse affect treatment of tuberculosis?
People who engage in substance abuse frequently while on treatment for TBD take longer to convert to inactive disease (TBI), become non-infectious, and to feel better overall. The body cannot absorb the antibiotics into the bloodstream because drugs like alcohol cause malabsorption. Drugs cause liver enzymes to be high, and if they remain high while on treatment for TBI, the healthcare provider will stop treatment until the patient stops illicit drug use activity. This can also lead to a form of drug resistant TB in the future if the patient does progress to active disease. Here at SCHD, we strongly urge that patients please refrain from any drug use while on treatment and within the future.

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1. Does HIV make a person more susceptible to TB?
2. How does substance abuse affect treatment of tuberculosis?