Presentation Information
[O-18-02]Psychoactive Substance Use in elderly persons at a government mental health setting in India
Mridusmita Sonowal1, *Prasanthi Nattala2, Sivakumar P.T.3 (1.NIMHANS(India), 2.Nursing NIMHANS(India), 3.Psychiatry NIMHANS(India))
Keywords:
Psychoactive substance use,Elderly,Geriatric Psychiatry
Background: Elderly persons face unique vulnerabilities; psychoactive substance use (PSU) exacerbates these vulnerabilities and challenges. However, literature on PSU among the elderly is sparse in India which is facing a demographic shift in terms of increasing aging population. The present study assessed PSU and its correlates in elderly persons seeking services at the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit (GPU) of a government mental health setting in India.
Methods: Elderly persons (>=60 years; N=100) were recruited consecutively and PSU among them was assessed using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) by the WHO.
Results: Participants’ mean age was 67.68 years (SD-5.03), 61% were male. Lifetime PSU was reported by 62% (tobacco), 50% (alcohol), 8% (sedatives), 1% (opioids). Past 3-month PSU was reported by 44% (tobacco), 22% (alcohol). In the past 3 months, for tobacco and alcohol respectively: strong desire for PSU was reported by 41%, 40%; problems from PSU by 40%, 18%; failure to carry out responsibilities due to PSU by 35%, 18%. Forty-two percent of past 3-month tobacco users, and 37% of past 3-month alcohol users, said that family/friends had expressed concern about their PSU. Thirty-eight percent of past 3-month tobacco users, and 10% of past 3-month alcohol users, said that they had tried to cut down on their PSU. Past 3-month PSU (tobacco, alcohol) was significantly higher among males, illiterate, and rural residents. Reasons reported for past 3-month tobacco and alcohol use respectively, included: habit/‘just like that’-79%, 53%; for socializing-15%, 34%. Other reasons reported for past 3-month tobacco/alcohol use included ‘to beat stress, boredom, for relaxation’.
Conclusion: Findings highlight important insights related to PSU among elderly persons, particularly in a different culture like India, where PSU is considered as a problem of younger people. These insights have important implications in terms of targeted interventions for this vulnerable group.
Methods: Elderly persons (>=60 years; N=100) were recruited consecutively and PSU among them was assessed using the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) by the WHO.
Results: Participants’ mean age was 67.68 years (SD-5.03), 61% were male. Lifetime PSU was reported by 62% (tobacco), 50% (alcohol), 8% (sedatives), 1% (opioids). Past 3-month PSU was reported by 44% (tobacco), 22% (alcohol). In the past 3 months, for tobacco and alcohol respectively: strong desire for PSU was reported by 41%, 40%; problems from PSU by 40%, 18%; failure to carry out responsibilities due to PSU by 35%, 18%. Forty-two percent of past 3-month tobacco users, and 37% of past 3-month alcohol users, said that family/friends had expressed concern about their PSU. Thirty-eight percent of past 3-month tobacco users, and 10% of past 3-month alcohol users, said that they had tried to cut down on their PSU. Past 3-month PSU (tobacco, alcohol) was significantly higher among males, illiterate, and rural residents. Reasons reported for past 3-month tobacco and alcohol use respectively, included: habit/‘just like that’-79%, 53%; for socializing-15%, 34%. Other reasons reported for past 3-month tobacco/alcohol use included ‘to beat stress, boredom, for relaxation’.
Conclusion: Findings highlight important insights related to PSU among elderly persons, particularly in a different culture like India, where PSU is considered as a problem of younger people. These insights have important implications in terms of targeted interventions for this vulnerable group.