The Effect of Veteran Status and Chronic Pain on Past 30-Day Sedative Use Among Community-Dwelling Adult Males

• DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230226r2
• Publication Date: 2024-03-11T16:15:17Z
• Authors: Ayodeji Otufowora; Yiyang Liu; Aderonke Okusanya; Afeez Ogidan; Adedoyin Okusanya; Linda B. Cottler
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Substance-Related Disorders; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Independent Living; Chronic Pain; United States; Veterans

<h3>Introduction:</h3> Given the high sedative prescription rate, sedative-associated morbidity, and mortality nationally (especially among veterans), we aimed to test hypothesis that veteran status in presence of chronic pain would be associated with greater use when compared nonveteran status. <h3>Methods:</h3> The study participants were recruited by Community Health Workers (CHWs) through ongoing community engagement program (HealthStreet) at University Florida. CHWs collected information on sociodemographic factors, health status, past 30-day drug patterns. <h3>Results:</h3> sample comprised 4,732 male participants, which 21% veterans, 58% Blacks 8.4% had used sedatives 30 days. Veterans (vs nonveterans) twice as likely have days pain. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> are a high-risk population for current use.