Injecting drug users represent one of the groups of individuals within whom emerging infections have spread before they have been recognized. This was the case with HIV and HCV infection. Because of this, the BSQR requires that they are permanently excluded from becoming donors. It can be many years before any infection shows itself. Former drug users often do not realize that they can pass infection on to others many years after they last used drugs themselves.
Previous use of non-injected drugs does not necessarily require exclusion.
Anyone obviously affected by alcohol, or other drugs that can affect the mind, cannot give valid consent or fully understand why they are being asked certain questions. They can be a danger to themselves and to others. If the donor is deferred, this may be until the next session, or permanently, if the donor's use of alcohol and/or drugs is likely to continue.
Disulfiram (Antabuse®) may cause severe reactions in a recipient whose blood contains alcohol.
Other medications such as Acamprosate (Campral®) or Naltrexone may be prescribed to support abstinence from alcohol or drug use. If the donor is well and their alcohol or drug use has not caused any end-organ damage, then they can be accepted to donate.
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