Aging Effects on Substance Use Among Midlife Women: The Moderating Influence of Race and Substance

Stephanie Sarabia, James Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article examines the impact of aging on midlife women's substance use, particularly differences in aging out according to race and substance used. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze 2 waves (1979, 1994) of National Survey on Drug Use and Health data among women ages 30 to 55 (N = 2,035). Black women reduced their marijuana use as they aged faster than White women did. In addition, Black women reduced their use of illicit drugs as they aged, but White women did not. Women did not reduce their misuse of prescription drugs, regardless of race. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)417-435
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2013

Keywords

  • alcohol
  • baby boomers
  • drugs
  • midlife
  • race
  • women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Rehabilitation

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