OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that substance abuse is becoming more prevalent in middle-aged adults. The objective of this secondary analysis was to add to the growing empirical literature on the unique features of middle-aged substance abuse populations. METHODS: We descriptively compared baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of middle-aged (age 45-62 years, n = 111) and younger (age 18-44 years, n = 395) substance abusers entering a Web-based psychosocial treatment study as part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network. RESULTS: A significantly greater percentage of middle-aged adults were nonwhite and had a marital status other than single/never married. There was a significant association between frequency of Internet use and the age group. Forty-six percent of middle-aged adults versus 21% of younger adults reported no Internet use in the prior 90 days. A significantly greater percentage of middle-aged adults used cocaine, and a significantly greater percentage of younger adults used marijuana and opioids. Clinically significant cognitive impairment (z < -1.0) was found for the average participant in both groups on logical association of familiar concepts. CONCLUSIONS: This secondary analysis of a National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network study provides additional information on the unique features of middle-aged substance abusers. Increasing knowledge of similarities and differences between younger and middle-aged substance abusers can help with potential age-specific substance abuse treatment planning.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that substance abuse is becoming more prevalent in middle-aged adults. The objective of this secondary analysis was to add to the growing empirical literature on the unique features of middle-aged substance abuse populations. METHODS: We descriptively compared baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of middle-aged (age 45-62 years, n = 111) and younger (age 18-44 years, n = 395) substance abusers entering a Web-based psychosocial treatment study as part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network. RESULTS: A significantly greater percentage of middle-aged adults were nonwhite and had a marital status other than single/never married. There was a significant association between frequency of Internet use and the age group. Forty-six percent of middle-aged adults versus 21% of younger adults reported no Internet use in the prior 90 days. A significantly greater percentage of middle-aged adults used cocaine, and a significantly greater percentage of younger adults used marijuana and opioids. Clinically significant cognitive impairment (z < -1.0) was found for the average participant in both groups on logical association of familiar concepts. CONCLUSIONS: This secondary analysis of a National Institute on Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network study provides additional information on the unique features of middle-aged substance abusers. Increasing knowledge of similarities and differences between younger and middle-aged substance abusers can help with potential age-specific substance abuse treatment planning.
Authors: Amy J Jak; Mark W Bondi; Lisa Delano-Wood; Christina Wierenga; Jody Corey-Bloom; David P Salmon; Dean C Delis Journal: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2009-05 Impact factor: 4.105
Authors: Antti Latvala; Anu E Castaneda; Jonna Perälä; Samuli I Saarni; Terhi Aalto-Setälä; Jouko Lönnqvist; Jaakko Kaprio; Jaana Suvisaari; Annamari Tuulio-Henriksson Journal: Addiction Date: 2009-09 Impact factor: 6.526
Authors: F Patti; M P Amato; M Trojano; S Bastianello; M R Tola; B Goretti; L Caniatti; E Di Monte; P Ferrazza; V Brescia Morra; S Lo Fermo; O Picconi; G Luccichenti Journal: Mult Scler Date: 2009-07 Impact factor: 6.312