Evaluating substance use treatment efficacy for younger and older adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the differential efficacy of aftercare substance use treatments for younger (below 40, n = 107) versus older (40+, n = 114) adults (N = 221), using data from a randomized controlled trial in a community-based substance abuse treatment center. The younger adult sample had a mean age of 28.9 while the older adult sample had a mean age of 48.1. Primary outcomes were rates of abstinence and percent use days at 1-year follow-up. Outcomes were compared between standard cognitive behavioral relapse prevention (RP), Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP), and 12-step-based treatment as usual (TAU). Results showed significant differences by treatment in the older, but not in younger, subsample of participants. Specifically, the older participants in MBRP had significantly higher abstinence rates compared with those in TAU. Further, the older individuals in MBRP had a significantly lower percent of days on which they used compared with those in TAU and RP. Overall, findings suggest that age group may impact aftercare treatment substance use outcomes.