Is cannabis use associated with prescription psychotropic and pain reliever medication and other substance use among individuals aged 50+ with mental illness?

Choi, Namkee G.; Choi, Bryan Y.; Marti, C. Nathan; DiNitto, Diana M.

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108842

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…Mental health problems, along with chronic pain and other physical health conditions, are one of the primary self-reported reasons for their medical cannabis use, with or without medical authorization 8 – 10 . A recent NSDUH-based study also found that among individuals age 50+ with any mental illness, the odds of past-month binge alcohol use were nearly triple for cannabis users compared to nonusers; however, among cannabis users, the odds were lower for medical, compared to nonmedical, users 11 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[8][9][10] A recent NSDUH-based study also found that among individuals age 50þ with any mental illness, the odds of past-month binge alcohol use were nearly triple for cannabis users compared to nonusers; however, among cannabis users, the odds were lower for medical, compared to nonmedical, users. 11 Among the general population, those with major depression are twice as likely to use cannabis as those who do not have major depression, and the strength of the associations between depression and medical or nonmedical cannabis use and frequent (i.e., daily/near-daily) use increased significantly from 2005 to 2016. [12][13][14] Significant associations have also been found between depression and cannabis use disorder and with the number of DSM-IV cannabis dependence criteria endorsed, 15 regardless of use frequency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cannabis and Binge Alcohol use among Older Individuals with Major Depressive Episode

et al. 2022

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Background: Research shows significant associations of major depression with cannabis and binge alcohol use. However, despite increasing cannabis and binge alcohol use rates among the 50+ age group, research on this age group is scant. Methods: We used the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data (n = 44,007 age 50+) and multinomial logistic regression models to examine associations of a major depressive episode (MDE) with cannabis and binge alcohol use and co-use and associations of binge alcohol use with nonmedical and medical cannabis use. Results: Of individuals age 50+, 89.6% had no history of MDE, 5.7% had prior-to-past-year MDE, and 4.7% had past-year MDE. The rates of past-month cannabis use were 4.3%, 7.7%, and 11.6% and binge alcohol use were 17.3%, 18.7%, and 19.9% among those with no MDE history, prior-to-past-year MDE, and past-year MDE, respectively. Compared to no MDE history, prior-to-past-year MDE (RRR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.30–2.23) and past-year MDE (RRR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.27–2.55) were significantly associated with past-month cannabis use (with or without binge alcohol use). However, MDE status was not associated with past-month binge alcohol use. Among cannabis users, binge alcohol use was significantly associated with nonmedical cannabis use only (RRR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.95–3.21). Users of cannabis and/or binge alcohol also had a higher likelihood of using tobacco products and illicit drugs. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals treating individuals age 50+ with depression should screen for substance use, provide education on the potential adverse effects of polysubstance use, and help them access treatment for co-occurring depression and substance use problems.

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