Nicotine dependence and HIV risk behaviors among illicit drug users.

This study was concerned with examining the relation between nicotine dependence and HIV risk behaviors in a sample of 297 out-of-treatment drug users. A number of significant relationships were found between nicotine dependence and HIV risk behaviors. Crack-smoking injectors were found to have a higher degree of nicotine dependence when compared with exclusive injectors or exclusive crack smokers. Participants' impulsivity may be one possible reason why nicotine dependence is related to HIV risk behaviors. The results also suggest that drug abuse programs make available smoking cessation programs.