Drug users, not necessarily injected, have less dopamine receptors than 'normal'. This implies less activity in frontal cortex zones indicating less control, and more activity in the amygdala zone indicating more impulsivity.
However, the same is also true of people with HIV. To a lesser but still significant degree people with HIV have less dopamine receptors.
The combination of HIV infection and substance abuse whether it's Cocaine, Heroine or Meth etc increases this effect - possibly permanently, but at least for quite a few years.
This results in a continued loss of control and increase in impulsivity - an addiction to dopamine.
It's a long way to go till substantial evidence is accumulated but it's a begin. Addiction is a Brain Disease which is aggravated by HIV.
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