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.

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. The study 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 Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network (CTN) (protocol CTN-0044, “Web Delivery of Evidence-Based, Psychosocial Treatment for Substance Use Disorders”). Analysis revealed that 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 was found for the average participant in both groups on logical association of familiar concepts.

Conclusions: This secondary analysis of CTN-0044 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.

Related protocols: CTN-0044