Despite growing numbers of older-adult illicit drug users,
research on this topic is rare. This study examined the relationship between
marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and major depressive episode (MDE) and
serious suicidal thoughts among those aged 50+ years in the USA.
The public use files of the 2008 to 2012 US National Survey
on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provided data on 29,634 individuals aged 50+
years. Logistic regression analysis was used to test hypothesized associations
between past-year marijuana and/or other illicit drug use and MDE and serious
suicidal thoughts.
Nearly 6% of the 50+ years age group reported past-year
marijuana and/or other illicit drug use. Compared to non-users of any illicit
drug, the odds of past-year MDE among those who used marijuana only, other
illicit drugs only, and marijuana and other illicit drugs were 1.54, 2.75, and 2.12,
respectively. Those who used marijuana and other drugs also had higher odds of suicidal thoughts than non-users of any illicit
drug. However, among users of any illicit drug, no difference was found among
users of marijuana only, marijuana and other illicit drugs, and other illicit
drugs only. Among marijuana users, marijuana use frequency was a significant
correlate of suicidal thoughts only among those with MDE.
Health and mental health (MH) service providers should pay
close attention to the potential reciprocal effects of marijuana and other
illicit drug use and MDE and suicidal thoughts among late middle-aged and older
adults.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/o7tVcH
By:
- 1The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work,1925 San Jacinto Blvd,D3500,Austin,TX 78712,USA.
- 2Department of Emergency Medicine,Warren Alpert Medical School,Brown University,Providence,RI,USA.
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