Nearly Half of HIV-Positive Adults Over 50 Used Illicit Drugs in the Past Year
Among HIV-positive adults aged 50 and older engaged in care, marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug at 32.6%, and nearly a quarter met criteria for drug dependence.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
In a sample of 95 HIV-positive patients aged 50 and older who were actively engaged in medical care, substance use was highly prevalent. Nearly half (48.4%) had used an illicit drug in the past 12 months, and 23.2% met criteria for drug dependence.
Marijuana was the most commonly reported illicit drug at 32.6%, followed by cocaine and crack at 10.5% each. Most participants (81.1%) were at medium risk for an alcohol use disorder.
Among those who had used drugs in the past year, 37% had never been in any substance use treatment. Among those meeting dependence criteria, 27.3% had never participated in a 12-step program.
Key Numbers
95 participants. 48.4% used illicit drugs in the past year. 32.6% used marijuana. 23.2% met drug dependence criteria. 46.3% were current cigarette smokers. 37% of past-year drug users had never been in treatment.
How They Did This
This was a cross-sectional study of 95 HIV-positive patients aged 50 and older recruited from two community health settings in New York City. Participants completed assessments of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use, treatment history, and 12-step program participation.
Why This Research Matters
The population of people living with HIV aged 50 and older is growing due to effective antiretroviral therapy. High rates of substance use in this population intersect with complex medication regimens, age-related health conditions, and potential drug interactions. The finding that over a third of active drug users had never received treatment suggests a significant gap in integrated care.
The Bigger Picture
As people with HIV live longer, the intersection of aging, chronic disease management, and substance use becomes increasingly important. Cannabis was the most commonly used substance in this population, which raises questions about whether some use may be therapeutic (for appetite, pain, or nausea) versus recreational, and how clinicians should approach it.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample size (95 participants) from New York City limits generalizability. The study was cross-sectional and relied on self-reported drug use. Participants were all engaged in care, so those not in treatment may have different patterns. The study did not distinguish between medical and recreational cannabis use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Are some older HIV-positive adults using cannabis to manage symptoms like nausea, pain, or appetite loss?
- ?How does cannabis use interact with antiretroviral medications in older adults?
- ?Would integrated substance use screening and treatment in HIV clinics improve outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 32.6% of HIV-positive adults over 50 used marijuana in the past year.
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary evidence from a small cross-sectional study at two sites in one city. Useful for identifying patterns but not generalizable.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2016. The aging HIV population and attitudes toward cannabis have both evolved since this study.
- Original Title:
- Drug use among HIV+ adults aged 50 and older: findings from the GOLD II study.
- Published In:
- AIDS care, 28(11), 1373-7 (2016)
- Authors:
- Ompad, Danielle C(3), Giobazolia, Tatiana T, Barton, Staci C, Halkitis, Sophia N, Boone, Cheriko A, Halkitis, Perry N, Kapadia, Farzana, Urbina, Antonio
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01236
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Is marijuana use common among older adults with HIV?
In this study of 95 HIV-positive adults over 50, nearly a third reported marijuana use in the past year, making it the most commonly used illicit drug in this population.
Were these people using marijuana medically?
The study did not distinguish between medical and recreational use. Given that many people with HIV experience symptoms that cannabis may address (nausea, appetite loss, pain), some use may have been symptom management.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01236APA
Ompad, Danielle C; Giobazolia, Tatiana T; Barton, Staci C; Halkitis, Sophia N; Boone, Cheriko A; Halkitis, Perry N; Kapadia, Farzana; Urbina, Antonio. (2016). Drug use among HIV+ adults aged 50 and older: findings from the GOLD II study.. AIDS care, 28(11), 1373-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2016.1178704
MLA
Ompad, Danielle C, et al. "Drug use among HIV+ adults aged 50 and older: findings from the GOLD II study.." AIDS care, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2016.1178704
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Drug use among HIV+ adults aged 50 and older: findings from ..." RTHC-01236. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ompad-2016-drug-use-among-hiv
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.