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Illicit and nonmedical drug use among older adults: a review.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wu, L-T; Blazer, DG
Published in: J Aging Health
April 2011

OBJECTIVE: Substance abuse among older adults is a looming public health concern. The number of Americans aged 50+ years with a substance use disorder is projected to double from 2.8 million in 2002-2006 to 5.7 million in 2020. The authors provide a review of epidemiological findings for this understudied area of research by focusing on illicit drug use disorders and nonmedical use of prescription drugs among adults aged 50+ years. METHOD: MEDLINE and PsychInfo were searched using keywords drug use, drug abuse, drug misuse, substance use disorder, and prescription drug abuse. Using the related-articles link, additional articles were screened for inclusion. This review included articles published between 1990 and 2010. RESULTS: Rates of treatment admissions involving primary use of illicit and misuse of prescription drugs have increased, while rates involving primary use of alcohol only have decreased. Alcohol, opioids/heroin, and cocaine were more likely than other substances to be associated with treatment use. Limited research data suggested the effectiveness of treatments, especially for women. Furthermore, older adults appeared to be less likely than younger adults to perceive substance use as problematic or to use treatment services. DISCUSSION: There is robust evidence showing that an increased number of older adults will need substance abuse care in the coming decades. Increasing demands on the substance abuse treatment system will require expansion of treatment facilities and development of effective service programs to address emerging needs of the aging drug-using population.

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Published In

J Aging Health

DOI

EISSN

1552-6887

Publication Date

April 2011

Volume

23

Issue

3

Start / End Page

481 / 504

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Time Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Risk-Taking
  • Risk Factors
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Middle Aged
  • Mass Screening
  • Male
  • Illicit Drugs
 

Citation

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Wu, L.-T., & Blazer, D. G. (2011). Illicit and nonmedical drug use among older adults: a review. J Aging Health, 23(3), 481–504. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264310386224
Wu, Li-Tzy, and Dan G. Blazer. “Illicit and nonmedical drug use among older adults: a review.J Aging Health 23, no. 3 (April 2011): 481–504. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264310386224.
Wu L-T, Blazer DG. Illicit and nonmedical drug use among older adults: a review. J Aging Health. 2011 Apr;23(3):481–504.
Wu, Li-Tzy, and Dan G. Blazer. “Illicit and nonmedical drug use among older adults: a review.J Aging Health, vol. 23, no. 3, Apr. 2011, pp. 481–504. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/0898264310386224.
Wu L-T, Blazer DG. Illicit and nonmedical drug use among older adults: a review. J Aging Health. 2011 Apr;23(3):481–504.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Aging Health

DOI

EISSN

1552-6887

Publication Date

April 2011

Volume

23

Issue

3

Start / End Page

481 / 504

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Time Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Risk-Taking
  • Risk Factors
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Middle Aged
  • Mass Screening
  • Male
  • Illicit Drugs