title: Demographic Trends of Adults in New York City Opioid Treatment Programs--An Aging Population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The population of adults accessing opioid treatment is growing older, but exact estimates vary widely, and little is known about the characteristics of the aging treatment population. Further, there has been little research regarding the epidemiology, healt h status, and functional impairments in this population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the utilization of opioid treatment services by older adults in New York City.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used administrative data from New York State licensed drug treatment programs to examine overall age trends and characteristics of older adults in opioid treatment programs in New York City from 1996 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significant increases in utilization of opioid treatment programs by older adults in New York City. By 2012, those aged 50-59 made up the largest age group in opioid treatment programs. Among older adults there were notable shifts in demographic background including gender and ethnicity, and an increase in self-reported impairments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More research is needed to fully understand the specific characteristics and needs of older adults with opioid dependence.
authors.affiliation: a Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care , New York University School of Medicine , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medicine , NYU Medical Center , New York , New York , USA.|c Department of Psychiatry , New York University School of Medicine , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Soteri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Polydorou
authors.affiliation: a Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care , New York University School of Medicine , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Rosie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferris
authors.affiliation: a Division of Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care , New York University School of Medicine , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Caroline S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Blaum
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychiatry , New York University School of Medicine , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medicine , NYU Medical Center , New York , New York , USA.|d Department of Population Health , NYU School of Medicine , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McNeely
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011157:Population Dynamics / Q000639:trends*; D017678:Sex Distribution
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008691:Methadone
keywords: geriatric conditions; geriatrics; methadone; older adults; opioid dependence