People with HIV and AIDS are able to live healthier lives when they have good medical care. One of the most important tools you have is your relationship with your doctor. If you’ve had bad experiences with a doctor in the past, maybe you don’t trust health care professionals. Try to be open to the idea that you can find a doctor who will treat you well. It may take time, practice and some mistakes to make it work with your doctor. But it is possible. Remember, trust and respect go both ways.

If you’re HIV+ (even if you don’t have any symptoms right now), you should regularly see a doctor who can check on your HIV, help you make treatment decisions and perhaps help you develop harm reduction strategies that work for you. You have the right to quality health care.

The best way to find a doctor who will understand your lifestyle and health care needs is to talk with needle exchange staff and other HIV+ people who use drugs. You can also contact your local AIDS agency for a reference.

This is a list of things you should be able to expect from your doctor. Your doc should:

• treat you whether or not you are using drugs
• encourage you to have a say in your own health care
• not be afraid to touch you
• not make assumptions or judge you
• understand both HIV and drug use
• explain everything clearly
• listen to you
• offer you a variety of ways to treat your HIV

You may need to remind your doctor of these things or bring along this list. Talk with your doctor. See if you feel comfortable. You should feel encouraged to ask any questions you have, even if they seem stupid. If you don’t feel comfortable talking about your most personal stuff — your drug use, bowel movements or that nasty yeast infection — bring this up with your doctor. If you don’t think your doctor is listening to you, bring this to his or her attention or think about seeing someone new.

As part of your HIV care and peace of mind, try to find someone else who has HIV to talk with regularly. Your local AIDS agency or needle exchange may be able to help you join a support group or hook up with a buddy, someone who can offer you support, care and compassion but still call you on your shit.