Aging Effects on Substance Use Among Midlife Women: The Moderating Influence of Race and Substance

Abstract

This article examines the impact of aging on midlife women's substance use, particularly differences in aging out according to race and substance used. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze 2 waves (1979, 1994) of National Survey on Drug Use and Health data among women ages 30 to 55 (N = 2,035). Black women reduced their marijuana use as they aged faster than White women did. In addition, Black women reduced their use of illicit drugs as they aged, but White women did not. Women did not reduce their misuse of prescription drugs, regardless of race. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.

Keywords:

• alcohol
• baby boomers
• drugs
• midlife
• race
• women