The majority of people tested positive for the HIV infection need to join one of the HIV support groups. Even though at first it will not seem like a good idea, only time can tell. Not many want to share their experience, and certainly not many are willing to say to another group of people that they have HIV. A recent infected person will first of all think that others might reject him or her if anyone finds out about the infection. Due to this fact, they keep a low profile and they do not join any group at first. But still, people feel the need to share the experience, to find someone that is similar to them, and to be understood from a different point of view. Family and friends might understand the mental state of a recent infected HIV person, however the only way to truly understand something is by comparing it to a similar experience. People infected with the HIV virus may not always find the support that they are after, not even in close friends, because these may be healthy people, who are incapable of fully understanding a person with HIV.

This is why HIV support groups are there. These associations want to give not only support to the positive HIV people, but they also want to provide understanding and collectivity spirit.

But once convinced to join such a group, one can discover other advantages. People involved in this activity might help more than one can imagine. Some of the support groups can even take charge of the medication and life style of patients to improve the quality of life. Other groups may plead their activity on integrating HIV positive patients into society, into a working environment, or in other activities.

Support groups can also help a patient face the fears of death. Not many people infected with the HIV know that they can live 5 years less than a regular person does. In fact, obesity can kill at 40 years old a person who has been overweight his whole life, while an HIV infected can live to be 60 and even more. Due to the fact that people with HIV might be unaware of this they might live with the impression that they will die next month, next year or maybe even sooner.

Information just like this can bring up spirits and chase all the negative thinking away. Solutions for child adoption for those who have no children can be found only inside such groups that offer their full support and understanding towards patients.

But the problem goes even deeper, to a subconscious level. Support groups are able to fill up the need for socialization. For many people having the HIV virus, this socialization process is very important. HIV can make them close to themselves, lose friends and close friends, but support groups can offer new friends and new ways to see life.

HIV support groups can be found online, where there are over 10 groups in a single area, or can be recommended by doctors and specialists.

http://hivsymptomsinmen.tv/141/why-join-hiv-support-groups/

In order to access the limited number of support groups specific to HIV you must contact one of the four case management agencies within the six-county region. AIDSNET-Community Services-Providers-Care

Alcoholics Anonymous- Alcoholics Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism

Help Guide- Understand, prevent, and resolve life's challenges

Narcotics Anonymous - The website for the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous

Passages Addiction Care - A holistic approach to total recovery from alcohol and drug dependency

Rational Recovery - How to quit your addiction right now for life

Lehigh Valley Drug and Alcohol Intake Unit
29 S Law St, Allentown, PA  18101-1430- Telephone (610) 432-2228- 44 E Broad St, Bethlehem, PA  18018-5947- Telephone (610) 866-4088 - 6 S 3rd St, Easton, PA  18042-4511- Telephone (610) 923-0394