title: 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.
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.
authors: San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA. kalapatapu.raj.k@gmail.com
authors: Raj K
authors: RK
authors: Kalapatapu
authors: Aimee
authors: A
authors: Campbell
authors: Efrat
authors: E
authors: Aharonovich
authors: Mei-Chen
authors: MC
authors: Hu
authors: Frances R
authors: FR
authors: Levin
authors: Edward V
authors: EV
authors: Nunes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003205:Computing Methodologies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D003710:Demography; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D019468:Disease Management; D055030:Drug Users / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000145:classification*; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs