ArticleInternational journal of geriatric psychiatry2021
The latent class structure of substance use in US adults 50 years and older.
Article in International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Examining the Role of Alcohol, Cannabis, and Other Drug Use in Potentiating HIV Prevention Behaviors Among Diverse, Sexually Active Youth.AIDS and behavior · 2026Article
- A Multilevel Analysis of Social Environmental Factors Related to Substance Use, Tobacco Use, and Binge Drinking Behaviors Among Older Adults.American journal of preventive medicine · 2026Article
- Epigenetic and genetic profiling of comorbidity patterns among substance dependence diagnoses.Molecular psychiatry · 2025Article
- Polydrug Definition and Assessment: The State of the Art.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveSubstance use rates have increased in adults 50 years and older, and substance use in this population is associated with significant consequences. Given that little is known about their underlying substance use patterns, the objective was to identify latent classes of adults 50 years and older by past-year substance use, past-month substance use, and past-year substance use disorder (SUD) diagnosis.
methodsThe National Survey on Drug Use and Health is an annual nationwide cross-sectional U.S. survey. Participants were 35,229 civilian, non-institutionalized U.S. residents, 50 years and older. Past-year and past-month alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine use, and opioid, stimulant, and tranquilizer/sedative prescription drug misuse (PDM) were captured, as was past-year DSM-IV SUD from these substances. Correlates included mental health, physical health, and healthcare utilization variables.
resultsLatent class analysis indicated four past-year or past-month substance use subgroups (Alcohol-Only, Alcohol-Tobacco-Marijuana, Cocaine-Polydrug, PDM-Polydrug), with SUD prevalence rising from 3.2% to 17.3%, 68.8%, and 78.5% by past-year subgroup; similarly, rates of past-year suicidal ideation increased from 2.1%, to 4.8%, 12.0%, and 20.4% by past-year subgroup. For SUD, there were three subgroups (Low Nicotine Dependence [ND], High Alcohol Use Disorder, Multiple SUDs). Over 90% of adults were in a low-risk subgroup (i.e., Alcohol-Only and Low ND), but members of Cocaine-Polydrug, PDM-Polydrug, or Multiple SUDs latent classes had high rates of mental and physical health concerns.
conclusionsMost adults 50 and older have lower risk profiles, but those engaged in PDM or cocaine use are heavily substance-involved and need screening and likely multi-disciplinary intervention.
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