BACKGROUND: The median age of the single adult homeless population is 50 and rising. Although the prevalence of substance use decreases as individuals age, older adults now have a higher prevalence of substance use than older adults did 10 years ago. Homeless individuals have a higher prevalence of substance use disorders than the general population. However, little is known about substance use in older homeless adults. METHODS: The objective of the study was to examine prevalence of and factors associated with substance use in a population-based sample (N = 350) of homeless individuals aged 50 and older in Oakland, California. Dependent variables included moderate or greater severity illicit drug symptoms (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) score >3) and moderate or greater alcohol symptoms (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score >7). Independent variables included demographics, mental health problems, and negative life course events such as physical and sexual abuse, school expulsion, and onset of homelessness. RESULTS: Almost two thirds of participants, 64.6%, had moderate or greater severity symptoms for at least 1 illicit drug; 25.8% had moderate or greater severity alcohol symptoms. History of psychiatric hospitalization was associated with moderate or greater illicit drug symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.9, 1.0-3.6). The presence of major depressive symptoms was associated with moderate or greater severity alcohol symptoms (AOR = 1.8, 1.1-3.0). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of older homeless adults, substance use is common. There is a need for substance use treatment programs, integrated with mental health services, which are targeted towards the needs of older homeless adults.
BACKGROUND: The median age of the single adult homeless population is 50 and rising. Although the prevalence of substance use decreases as individuals age, older adults now have a higher prevalence of substance use than older adults did 10 years ago. Homeless individuals have a higher prevalence of substance use disorders than the general population. However, little is known about substance use in older homeless adults. METHODS: The objective of the study was to examine prevalence of and factors associated with substance use in a population-based sample (N = 350) of homeless individuals aged 50 and older in Oakland, California. Dependent variables included moderate or greater severity illicit drug symptoms (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) score >3) and moderate or greater alcohol symptoms (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score >7). Independent variables included demographics, mental health problems, and negative life course events such as physical and sexual abuse, school expulsion, and onset of homelessness. RESULTS: Almost two thirds of participants, 64.6%, had moderate or greater severity symptoms for at least 1 illicit drug; 25.8% had moderate or greater severity alcohol symptoms. History of psychiatric hospitalization was associated with moderate or greater illicit drug symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.9, 1.0-3.6). The presence of major depressive symptoms was associated with moderate or greater severity alcohol symptoms (AOR = 1.8, 1.1-3.0). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of older homeless adults, substance use is common. There is a need for substance use treatment programs, integrated with mental health services, which are targeted towards the needs of older homeless adults.
Authors: Rebecca T Brown; Kaveh Hemati; Elise D Riley; Christopher T Lee; Claudia Ponath; Lina Tieu; David Guzman; Margot B Kushel Journal: Gerontologist Date: 2017-08-01
Authors: Katharine A Bradley; Anna F DeBenedetti; Robert J Volk; Emily C Williams; Danielle Frank; Daniel R Kivlahan Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2007-04-19 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Nicole Rosendale; Elan L Guterman; John P Betjemann; S Andrew Josephson; Vanja C Douglas Journal: Neurology Date: 2019-05-24 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Jessica H Leibler; Jane M Liebschutz; Julia Keosaian; Catherine Stewart; Jordanna Monteiro; Alexander Woodruff; Michael D Stein Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2019-10 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Lee Smith; Nicola Veronese; Guillermo Felipe López-Sánchez; Eloise Moller; James Johnstone; Joseph Firth; Igor Grabovac; Lin Yang; Pinar Soysal; Sarah E Jackson Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-06-14 Impact factor: 2.692