Participation in 12-Step Programs and Drug Use Among Older Adults With Cannabis Use Disorder: Six-Month Outcomes

• Published date: 01 January 2021
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042620957013
• Date: 01 January 2021
• Author: Erin L. Woodhead,Christine Timko,Deborah Brief,Maureen Below
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042620957013

Journal of Drug Issues

2021, Vol. 51(1) 38 –49

© The Author(s) 2020

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DOI: 10.1177/0022042620957013

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Article

Participation in 12-Step Programs

and Drug Use Among Older

Adults With Cannabis Use

Disorder: Six-Month Outcomes

Erin L. Woodhead1, Deborah Brief2,3, Maureen Below2,3,

and Christine Timko4,5

Abstract

This study examined associations among cannabis use disorder (CUD), 12-step program

participation, and cannabis and other drug use at baseline and 3- and 6-month follow-ups.

Participants were age 50 or older in a study of veterans receiving medical management of

alcohol and/or opioid withdrawal (N = 171). Generalized estimating equations examined the

extent to which time point, 12-step program participation, and CUD were associated with

change in number of cannabis and non-cannabis drug use days. Also examined was whether

having CUD was associated with 12-step program participation. From baseline through the

6-month follow-up, 12-step program participation increased, non-cannabis drug use decreased,

and cannabis use remained stable. Twelve-step program participation at baseline was associated

with better outcomes at follow-ups. Participants with CUD reported less 12-step program

participation and more cannabis use days at follow-ups. Older adults with CUD may need other

types of psychosocial treatments due to low participation in 12-step programs.

Keywords

older adults, cannabis, 12-step programs, longitudinal, drug use

Use of cannabis among older adults is increasing, particularly among those ages 50 to 64 (Han

et al., 2016). Use of cannabis within the past year among older adults is associated with higher

psychological distress and use of other substances, including illicit drugs and binge drinking

(Choi, DiNitto, Marti, & Choi, 2016). Despite higher psychological distress among older adults

who use cannabis, these individuals are unlikely to attribute their problems to cannabis use, and

therefore may not seek out treatment (DiNitto & Choi, 2011). The goal of the current study was

to examine participation in 12-step programs and drug use outcomes among older adults with

1San José State University, CA, USA

2Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston Health Care System, MA, USA

3Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA

4Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Health Care System, CA, USA

5Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA

Corresponding Author:

Erin L. Woodhead, Department of Psychology, San José State University, 1 Washington Square, San José, CA 95192-

0120, USA.

Email: Erin.Woodhead@sjsu.edu

957013JODXXX10.1177/0022042620957013Journal of Drug IssuesWoodhead et al.

research-article2020