Individuals 45 Years and Older in Opioid Agonist Treatment: A Scoping Review

Gaulen, Zhanna; Lunde, Linn-Heidi; Alpers, Silvia Eiken; Carlsen, Siv-Elin Leirvaag

doi:10.3390/ijerph22030458

Open AccessReview

Individuals 45 Years and Older in Opioid Agonist Treatment: A Scoping Review

by

Zhanna Gaulen

,

Linn-Heidi Lunde

,

Silvia Eiken Alpers

and

Siv-Elin Leirvaag Carlsen

^*

Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5009 Bergen, Norway

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 458; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030458

Submission received: 28 November 2024 / Revised: 21 February 2025 / Accepted: 17 March 2025 / Published: 20 March 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Substance Use Research Methods: Ethics, Culture, and Health Equity)

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Abstract

This scoping review explores the unique challenges and needs faced by ageing individuals, aged 45 and above, in opioid agonist treatment (OAT), noting the earlier onset of age-related impairments among this population. The literature search was conducted in PsycINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science. A total of 28 observational studies were included. Five topics were identified: health, treatment, substance use, demographic, and social aspects. Findings reveal that, while health and age-related concerns are often discussed in the literature, limited attention has been given to gender differences, social factors such as financial issues, and psychological factors, which are also critical aspects of the lives of ageing individuals undergoing OAT. This review emphasizes the importance of expanding research to address these gaps, ultimately aiming to improve their overall well-being.

Keywords: opioid agonist treatment; older adults; ageing: substance use disorder; psychosocial factors; opioid use disorder; stigma; social isolation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Gaulen, Z.; Lunde, L.-H.; Alpers, S.E.; Carlsen, S.-E.L. Individuals 45 Years and Older in Opioid Agonist Treatment: A Scoping Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22, 458. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030458

AMA Style

Gaulen Z, Lunde L-H, Alpers SE, Carlsen S-EL. Individuals 45 Years and Older in Opioid Agonist Treatment: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025; 22(3):458. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030458

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gaulen, Zhanna, Linn-Heidi Lunde, Silvia Eiken Alpers, and Siv-Elin Leirvaag Carlsen. 2025. "Individuals 45 Years and Older in Opioid Agonist Treatment: A Scoping Review" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 22, no. 3: 458. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030458

APA Style

Gaulen, Z., Lunde, L.-H., Alpers, S. E., & Carlsen, S.-E. L. (2025). Individuals 45 Years and Older in Opioid Agonist Treatment: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(3), 458. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030458

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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Individuals 45 Years and Older in Opioid Agonist Treatment: A Scoping Review

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