Factors associated with illegal drug use among older methadone clients.
OBJECTIVE
The overall aims of this study are to describe the life stressors of, exposure to illegal drug use of, and illegal drug use by older methadone clients.


METHODS
The current study focuses on a subsample of the larger administrative data of a methadone clinic that is limited to African American and White clients over the age of 50 (N = 143). A logistic regression model tested the relationship between life stressors, exposure to illegal drug use, and a respondent's ability to remain abstinent from illegal drug use in the previous month.


RESULTS
Older methadone clients exposed to illegal drug use in their social networks and neighborhoods were significantly more likely to use illegal drugs in the last month.


CONCLUSIONS
Although demographic trends in the methadone population indicate that this cohort is aging and that their numbers are growing, little research exists on their well-being and service needs.
School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, 2117 Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA. dar15@pitt.edu
Daniel
D
Rosen
D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
D008691:Methadone