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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Gender differences among older heroin users | | Author(s) | Alison B Hamilton, Christine E Grella |
| Journal title | Journal of Women & Aging, vol 21, no 2, 2009 |
| Pages | pp 111-124 |
| Source | http://www.tandfonline.com |
| Keywords | Drug taking ; Older men ; Older women ; Comparison ; United States of America. |
| Annotation | The following question is explored: Are there gender differences among older individuals with a history of heroin addiction with regard to social and family relationships and health problems? Eight gender=specific focus groups were conducted with 38 people aged 50+ (19 women, 19 men) with long-term histories of heroin dependence. Four groups were conducted in a methadone maintenance (MM) clinic and for groups were derived from the Los Angeles community. Modest gender differences were observed, but mainly in the focus group dynamics. Women typically described the impact of their addiction on their families, while men typically described their surprise at still being alive. Hepatitis C was the primary health concern in all groups; mental health issues were also discussed. Remarkable gender differences were not apparent in the qualitative experience of these participants. Instead, the authors found overriding similarities related to the interactive effects of drug use and ageing. Longitudinal studies of this population as they age and interact with the health-care system and other social systems will help to untangle the complicated relationship between ageing, drug addiction, gender and health. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-090709203 A |
| Classmark | ETD: BC: BD: 48: 7T |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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