Age-Related Stress in Individuals with a Substance Use History

TL;DR

This study explores how age affects stress levels in people recovering from substance use, finding that older individuals experience less psychological stress.

Contribution

The study identifies age-related patterns in stress and physiological markers among substance use recovery participants.

Findings

Older participants had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure but lower perceived psychological stress.

Psychological stress scores showed strong negative correlations with age for feeling nervous, helplessness, and control issues.

Total stress scores decreased with age, suggesting age-sensitive approaches are needed in recovery programs.

Abstract

Substance use recovery is a multifaceted process influenced by psychological, physiological, and social factors. Stress remains a critical barrier to sustained recovery, particularly among elderly individuals who may face compounded challenges due to age-related vulnerabilities. Understanding age-related stress in recovery populations can inform targeted interventions and improve program efficacy. Demographic information and vital signs were collected from participants aged from 20 to 80 years old. Stress was assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Correlation analyses was done between demographic factors or vital signs and stress scores using the SPSS. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Age was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.235, p = 0.03) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.258, p = 0.017), indicating higher blood pressure levels in older participants. Conversely, heart rate showed a negative correlation with age (r = −0.216, p = 0.046). Psychological stress negatively correlated with age and older individuals reported lower levels of perceived stress as indicated by the following negative correlations: 1. feeling nervous or stressed (r=-0.369, p < 0.001); 2. feeling unable to control important things (r=-0.256, p = 0.017); 3. perceived helplessness (r=-0.286, p = 0.008); Total stress score (r=-0.25, p = 0.02). In conclusion, age is a significant factor influencing stress in individual enrolled in a local substance abuse recovery program. These findings underscore the need for age-sensitive approaches in substance use recovery services and highlight the importance of continuous psycho-social support.