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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Jan-Feb;7(1):66-72.
doi: 10.1097/ADM.0b013e31827e2d04.

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

Raj K Kalapatapu  1 , Aimee Campbell, Efrat Aharonovich, Mei-Chen Hu, Frances R Levin, Edward V Nunes
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

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

Raj K Kalapatapu et al. J Addict Med. 2013 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest:

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the manuscript.

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