While cannabis use has been increasing in the US in recent years, little is known about patterns and correlates of current cannabis use and CUD in older adults. To help address this gap, the researchers behind the present study examined factors linked with past 30-day cannabis use and CUD in older veterans.
In the study, they analyzed cross-sectional data from 4503 respondents aged between 65 and 84 years old from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). They ultimately found that of the 10% of veterans who reported using cannabis in the last 30 days, 36% had CUD. Participants with CUD tended to be younger, report anxiety, have one or more deficits in activities of daily living, have past month illicit drug use, and engage in frequent, inhaled, or recreational cannabis use.
The researchers further found that past-30 day inhaled cannabis use, compared to edibles alone, was linked to a higher chance of CUD.
The findings are limited by the study's cross-sectional nature, which meant that examination of the link between patient characteristics and patterns of cannabis use was not possible. The findings also may not generalize to nonveteran or non-VHA populations, or women.
“To our knowledge, this was the first large national study that used combined [electronic health records] and participant interview data to examine factors associated with current cannabis use and CUD among older veterans. Cannabis use was common and similar to estimates reported in younger populations; more than one-third of the participants with past 30-day use had any CUD,” wrote the researchers in their study.
“Given high rates of frequent cannabis use and CUD among older veterans, screening for cannabis use in clinical settings may be necessary, alongside referrals to appropriate specialty treatment,” they added.
Sources: EurekAlert, JAMA Network Open
