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Predictors of Alcohol‐Treatment Seeking in a Sample of Older Veterans in the GET SMART Program
Author(s) -
Satre Derek D.,
Knight Bob G.,
DicksonFuhrmann Elizabeth,
Jarvik Lissy F.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2003.51112.x
Subject(s) - medicine , substance abuse , attendance , psychiatry , referral , alcohol abuse , addiction , clinical psychology , family medicine , economics , economic growth
OBJECTIVES: To examine the predictive value of demographic characteristics and substance abuse indicators to explain treatment seeking for substance abuse problems by older male medical patients. DESIGN: Longitudinal analysis of screening data and treatment‐seeking behavior. SETTING: Inpatient medical and outpatient substance abuse treatment center. PARTICIPANTS: Participants in the study were 855 medically ill male veterans aged 55 and older, who were screened for alcohol problems during inpatient medical treatment after clinician referral. MEASUREMENTS: The CAGE alcohol screen (Cut down on your drinking, Annoyed by criticism of your drinking, Guilty about your drinking, Eye‐opener), drug use, and demographic measures administered at time of screening. Predictors of treatment seeking in the sample were examined using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Expressed interest in treatment and later attendance at a pretreatment evaluation were associated with younger age and a higher CAGE alcohol screening score. Being unmarried and using drugs in addition to alcohol were associated with treatment interest but not with evaluation attendance. In the path model tested, the effect of higher CAGE score partially explained the effect of younger age on treatment seeking. CONCLUSION: The model examined shows utility in predicting alcohol‐treatment seeking in this sample. Age‐related factors may deter treatment seeking by older male medical inpatients.