Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Middle-aged Versus Younger Adults Enrolled in a Clinical Trial of a Web-delivered Psychosocial Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

作者：Kalapatapu Raj K^*; Campbell Aimee; Aharonovich Efrat; Hu Mei Chen; Levin Frances R; Nunes Edward V

来源：Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2013, 7(1): 66-72.

DOI：10.1097/ADM.0b013e31827e2d04

• addiction
• aging
• neurocognitive
• Web-based treatment

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.

• 出版日期2013-2