title: Treatment use, perceived need, and barriers to seeking treatment for substance abuse and mental health problems among older adults compared to younger adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined age group differences in and correlates of treatment use and perceived treatment need for substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health (MH) problems as well as self-reported barriers to treatment among people 65+ years old vs. 26-34, 35-49, and 50-64 years old.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are from the 2008 to 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (N = 96,966). Age group differences were examined using descriptive bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 65+ age group was least likely to use treatment and perceive treatment need, but the 50-64 age group was more similar to the younger age groups than the 65+ age group. Controlling for age, other predisposing, and enabling factors, alcohol and illicit drug dependence and comorbid SUD and MH problems increased the odds of SUD treatment use. Of MH problems, anxiety disorder had the largest odds for MH treatment use. Bivariate analyses showed that lack of readiness to stop using and cost/limited insurance were the most frequent barriers to SUD and MH treatment, respectively, among older adults, and they were less likely than younger age groups to report stigma/confidentiality concerns for MH treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older adults will become a larger portion of the total U.S. population with SUD and/or MH problems. Healthcare providers should be alert to the need to help older adults with SUD and/or MH problems obtain treatment.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, D3500, Austin, TX 78712, United States. Electronic address: nchoi@austin.utexas.edu.
authors.forename: Namkee G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, D3500, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
authors.forename: Diana M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: DiNitto
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, D3500, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
authors.forename: C Nathan
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Marti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health / Q000639:trends; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Barriers to treatment; Mental disorders; Substance use disorders; Treatment