Coping styles and illicit drug use in older adults with HIV/AIDS

Psychol Addict Behav. 2013 Dec;27(4):1050-1058. doi: 10.1037/a0031044. Epub 2013 Feb 25.

Abstract

The prevalence of HIV infection in older adults is increasing; by 2015, over half of adults living with HIV/AIDS in the United States will be over 50. This study describes the prevalence of drug use and examines psychosocial predictors of drug use in a sample of HIV-infected adults aged 50 and older. Participants were 301 HIV-positive older adults enrolled in a clinical trial of a coping intervention aimed to reduce their depressive symptoms. One-quarter used illicit drugs in the past 60 days (48% any cocaine, 48% weekly marijuana, 44% any other drugs) with an average of 36 days for marijuana and 15 days for cocaine. After controlling for demographics, self-destructive avoidance was positively associated and spiritual coping was negatively associated with drug use. These findings suggest that assessment of drug abuse should be a routine part of care for older patients in HIV clinics. Furthermore, interventions designed to increase spiritual coping and decrease self-destructive avoidance may be particularly efficacious for HIV-infected older adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological / physiology*
  • Aged
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology*

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs