Centre for Policy on Ageing



Reconceptualizing early and late onset — a life course analysis of older heroin users
Author(s)	Miriam WIlliams Boeri, Claire E Sterk, Kirk W Elifson
Journal title	The Gerontologist, vol 48, no 5, October 2008
Pages	pp 637-645
Source	http://www.geron.org
Keywords	Drug taking ; Life span ; Qualitative Studies ; United States of America.
Annotation	Researchers' knowledge regarding older users of illegal drugs is limited, despite the increasing numbers of users. In this article, the authors apply a life course perspective to gain a further understanding of older adult drug use, specifically contrasting early- and late-onset heroin users. As part of the Project TRENDS, an investigation of emerging drug use patterns in Atlanta, Georgia, qualitative data were collected from 29 older heroin users (age 35+). Life course analysis focused on the users' experiences across the life span. The findings suggest that those ageing into heroin use (late onset) are disadvantaged compared to those who are maturing in (early onset) except in areas of health. It is proposed that conceptualising the use of heroin and other illegal drugs among older adults based on the user's life course trajectory will provide insights for social and health services, including drug treatment. (KJ/RH).
Accession Number	CPA-091215202 A
Classmark	ETD: BG6: 3DP: 7T
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.