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Behrendt S, Kuerbis A, Becker U, Mejldal A, Andersen K, Søgaard Nielsen A, Tolstrup J, Holm Eliasen M. Distinct health-related risk profiles among middle-aged and older adults with risky alcohol use from the Danish general population. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 226:108872. [PMID: 34246918 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge is lacking on distinct health-related risk profiles among the substantial group of middle-aged and older adults with risky alcohol use (AU). Such profiles could inform the planning of interventions and prevention. AIMS To 1) identify distinct health-related profiles based on different types of health-related functioning limitations and distress and 2) assess associations between these profiles and age, sex, and health-relevant behaviors (e.g., smoking). METHODS Cross-sectional nation-wide Danish health survey with n = 6630 adults aged 55-64 and n = 7605 aged 65-74 with at least risky AU (>84 g ethanol/week in women, >168 in men). Health-related risk profiles were identified with Latent Class Analysis (LCA). Multinomial regression was applied for the association between risk profiles and auxiliary variables. RESULTS A six-class LCA solution was found among 55-64 year-olds (classes: 'Normative' [61%], 'Distress' [6%], 'Mental health limitations [5%]', 'Pain-related distress [10%]', 'Broad limitations and pain distress [7%]', 'High overall burden' [11%]) and a five-class solution among 65-74 year-olds. Most classes were comparable across age groups. The 'Distress'-class characterized by pain-distress, tiredness-distress, and sleep-related distress (6%) only showed in the younger group. In both age groups, auxiliary covariates (high-risk AU, possible alcohol use disorder, weekly smoking) were positively associated with problematic profile membership (vs. normative class membership). CONCLUSION Middle-aged and older adults with risky AU have distinct health-related profiles relevant for the form and content of prevention and interventions. Despite their distinct features, almost all problematic health profiles warrant careful attention regarding high-risk AU and probable alcohol use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Behrendt
- Institute of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark; Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, and Psychiatric Department, Region of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 18, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
| | - Alexis Kuerbis
- Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, 2180 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10035, United States
| | - Ulrik Becker
- National Institute of Public Health, Studiestraede 6, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Mejldal
- Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, and Psychiatric Department, Region of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 18, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Kjeld Andersen
- Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, and Psychiatric Department, Region of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 18, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Anette Søgaard Nielsen
- Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, and Psychiatric Department, Region of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 18, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
| | - Janne Tolstrup
- National Institute of Public Health, Studiestraede 6, 1455 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marie Holm Eliasen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Nordre Fasanvej 57, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Sanders J. A Continuum of Older Women’s Experiences as Members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): A Qualitative Analysis. ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT QUARTERLY 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/07347324.2020.1824598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jolene Sanders
- Sociology & Social Work, Hood College, Frederick, Maryland, USA
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Satre DD, Hirschtritt ME, Silverberg MJ, Sterling SA. Addressing Problems With Alcohol and Other Substances Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2020; 28:780-783. [PMID: 32359882 PMCID: PMC7174977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Derek D. Satre
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA,Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region, Oakland, CA,Send correspondence and reprint requests to Derek D. Satre, Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0984, San Francisco, CA 94143.
| | - Matthew E. Hirschtritt
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA,Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region, Oakland, CA
| | | | - Stacy A. Sterling
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA,Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region, Oakland, CA
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Solomon CA, Laditka SB, Forthofer M, Racine EF. Alcohol consumption among older women in the United States. J Women Aging 2019; 33:100-117. [PMID: 31657279 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2019.1684176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have examined alcohol consumption among older women. Using the nationally representative National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we examined binge, moderate, and no alcohol consumption among women ages 50+ (n = 21,178). We calculated population prevalence by age and used multivariate logistic regression, controlling for seven sociodemographic factors. In adjusted results, women ages 65+ were more likely to have moderate or no alcohol consumption than those 50-64; Hispanic and African American women were more likely to engage in binge consumption than whites (all p < .01). More research is needed to understand binge alcohol consumption among older women in racial/ethnic minorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corliss A Solomon
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Sarah B Laditka
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Melinda Forthofer
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Elizabeth F Racine
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Charlotte, NC, USA
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Tevik K, Selbæk G, Engedal K, Seim A, Krokstad S, Helvik AS. Factors associated with alcohol consumption and prescribed drugs with addiction potential among older women and men - the Nord-Trøndelag health study (HUNT2 and HUNT3), Norway, a population-based longitudinal study. BMC Geriatr 2019; 19:113. [PMID: 30999872 PMCID: PMC6472008 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-019-1114-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about factors associated with alcohol consumption and use of drugs with addiction potential in older adults. The aim of this study was to explore the association between socio-demographic variables, physical and mental health and the later (11 years) use of frequent drinking, prescribed drugs with addiction potential and the possible combination of frequent drinking and being prescribed drugs with addiction potential in older adults (≥ 65 years). METHODS In this longitudinal study, we used data from two surveys of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT2 1995-1997 and HUNT3 2006-2008), a population based study in Norway. We totally included 10,656 individuals (5683 women) aged 54 years and older when they participated in HUNT2. Frequent drinking was defined as drinking alcohol 4 days or more per week. Data on prescribed drugs with addiction potential were drawn from the Norwegian Prescription Database. Drugs with addiction potential were defined as at least one prescription of benzodiazepines, z-hypnotics or opioids during one year for a minimum of two consecutive years between 2005 and 2009. RESULTS The typical frequent drinker in HUNT3 was younger, more educated, lived in urban areas, and reported smoking and drinking frequently in HUNT2 compared to the non-frequent drinker in HUNT3. The typical user of prescribed drugs with addiction potential in HUNT3 was an older woman who smoked and was in poor health, suffered from anxiety, had been hospitalized in the last 5 years and used anxiety or sleep medication every week or more often in HUNT2. The typical individual in HUNT3 with the possible combination of frequent drinking and being prescribed drugs with addiction potential had more education, smoked, drank frequently and used anxiety or sleep medication in HUNT2. CONCLUSION Individuals who were identified as frequent drinkers in HUNT2 were more likely to be frequent drinkers in HUNT3, and to have the possible combination of frequent drinking and being prescribed drugs with addiction potential in HUNT3. Health care professionals need to be aware of use of alcohol among older adults using drugs with addiction potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kjerstin Tevik
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Geir Selbæk
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- The Research Centre for Age-related Functional Decline and Disease, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Ottestad, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Knut Engedal
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arnfinn Seim
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Steinar Krokstad
- HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, (NTNU), Levanger, Norway
- Psychiatric Department, Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway
| | - Anne-S Helvik
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
- St. Olavs University Hospital, Sluppen, Trondheim, Norway
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Kim S, Spilman SL, Liao DH, Sacco P, Moore AA. Social networks and alcohol use among older adults: a comparison with middle-aged adults. Aging Ment Health 2018; 22:550-557. [PMID: 28006983 PMCID: PMC5523450 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2016.1268095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study compared the association between social networks and alcohol consumption among middle-aged (MA) and older adults (OA) to better understand the nature of the relationship between those two factors among OA and MA. METHOD We examined Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Current drinkers aged over 50 were subdivided into two age groups: MA (50-64, n = 5214) and OA (65 and older, n = 3070). Each age group was stratified into drinking levels (low-risk vs. at-risk) based on alcohol consumption. The size and diversity of social networks were measured. Logistic regression models were used to examine age differences in the association between the social networks (size and diversity) and the probability of at-risk drinking among two age groups. RESULTS A significant association between the social networks diversity and lower odds of at-risk drinking was found among MA and OA. However, the relationship between the diversity of social networks and the likelihood of at-risk drinking was weaker for OA than for MA. The association between social networks size and at-risk drinking was not significant among MA and OA. CONCLUSION The current study suggests that the association between social networks diversity and alcohol use among OA differs from the association among MA, and few social networks were associated with alcohol use among OA. In the future, research should consider an in-depth exploration of the nature of social networks and alcohol consumption by using longitudinal designs and advanced methods of exploring drinking networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungyoun Kim
- UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California,
Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Samantha L. Spilman
- David Geffen School of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University
of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Diana H. Liao
- David Geffen School of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University
of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paul Sacco
- School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD,
USA
| | - Alison A. Moore
- School of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of
California, San Diego, CA, USA
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Johannesen A, Engedal K, Larsen M, Lillehovde E, Stelander LT, Helvik AS. Alcohol and prescribed psychotropic drug use among patients admitted to a department of old-age psychiatry in Norway. NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 2017; 34:57-71. [PMID: 32934467 PMCID: PMC7450840 DOI: 10.1177/1455072516682642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although alcohol and prescribed psychotropic drug use has increased among older people, the usefulness of information provided about these substances in patients' referrals to departments of old-age psychiatry (OAPsy) is unknown. AIMS To examine whether patients' self-reported elevated use of alcohol and prescribed psychotropic drugs corresponds with information provided in the referrals to OAPsy departments and to explore the factors associated with elevated self-reported use of these substances. METHODS We recorded the information provided in referrals about the elevated use of alcohol and psychotropic drugs in a sample of 206 patients (69 men) from 12 OAPsy departments. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT) helped to assess self-reported use. We also collected demographic data, as well as information about cognitive functioning and symptoms of anxiety and depression. RESULTS Seventy-three patients (35%) scored above the cut-off for alcohol use for women/men (AUDIT ≥ 3/4) or psychotropic drugs (DUDIT ≥ 6/8), if not both. Twenty patients (10%) reported an elevated use of both alcohol and psychotropic drugs, and the referrals for eight (40%) and ten (50%) of them, respectively, included information about this use. There was a significant association between self-reported use of alcohol above the cut-off and information about elevated use in the referrals. However, no such association was found between information in the referrals and self-reported use of prescribed psychotropic drugs. Elevated alcohol use was associated with more years of education, while elevated use of psychotropic drugs was associated with younger age and severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION The information reported in referrals about the elevated use of alcohol and psychotropic drugs demonstrated a trend in associations with self-reported use. However, the risk factors for elevated use of alcohol and psychotropic drugs in the elderly need to be examined further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aud Johannesen
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Norway
| | - Knut Engedal
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Anne-Sofie Helvik
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, Department for Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
- St. Olav’s University Hospital, Norway
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DiBartolo MC, Jarosinski JM. Alcohol Use Disorder in Older Adults: Challenges in Assessment and Treatment. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2017; 38:25-32. [PMID: 27936333 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2016.1257076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common, under-recognized, and under-treated health concern in older adults. Its prevalence is expected to reach unprecedented levels as the U.S. population ages; consequently, it is poised to place a significant burden on the healthcare system. Given the growing body of evidence regarding the patterns of use in this age group and the serious consequences of its misuse, it is critical that nurses and other healthcare providers assess for AUD in order to identify older adults in need of treatment. Yet, differences in symptom presentation, problems in isolating the symptoms of AUD from other healthcare complaints associated with aging, as well as the denial and fear of stigma that is especially pervasive in this age group, are major barriers to its identification and subsequent treatment. Furthermore, the lack of consistent use of evidence-based, age-specific screening instruments to identify those at risk is another significant obstacle to successful treatment. Healthcare providers in primary care are especially well-positioned to perform a systematic assessment utilizing appropriate instruments to identify AUD and initiate age-specific interventions, including the use of alcohol screening and brief interventions (ASBIs). The use of ASBIs, along with other targeted interventions such as mutual help groups (MHGs), such as Alcoholics Anonymous, can be key in encouraging insight, dismantling denial, and supporting treatment success, lifelong recovery, and overall quality of life in this vulnerable group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C DiBartolo
- a Salisbury University , Department of Nursing , Salisbury , Maryland , USA
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