In recent years, the relationship between substance use and biological aging has garnered attention in the field of health research. A study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence explores how various forms of substance use, including alcohol, tobacco, and opioids, are associated with accelerated biological aging as measured by DNA methylation profiles.
Background
Prior research has often overlooked the connection between clinically significant substance use and biological aging. This study aims to fill that gap by analyzing data from a large, state-representative sample of adults in Indiana.
Methods
The researchers analyzed data from 2,276 participants who completed validated assessments of substance use disorder (SUD) severity, alcohol use, and nicotine consumption. Participants also provided saliva samples for DNA methylation profiling, which were used to measure biological aging through two specific metrics: AgeAccelGrim2 and DunedinPACE.
Results
The findings revealed that:
- Binary measures of illicit opioid use and non-prescription opioid use were positively associated with both AgeAccelGrim2 and DunedinPACE.
- Clinically significant alcohol use was positively associated with AgeAccelGrim2 but not with DunedinPACE.
- Cigarette smoking was positively associated with both measures of biological aging across all levels of smoking.
- Hookah use showed a negative association with AgeAccelGrim2 but did not affect DunedinPACE.
- Vaping did not show a significant association with accelerated biological aging when analyzed alongside cigarette smoking.
These results suggest that substance use, particularly cigarette smoking and opioid use, is strongly linked to accelerated biological aging.
What this study does not show
This study does not establish a causal relationship between substance use and biological aging, nor does it explore the underlying mechanisms that may contribute to these associations.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: established
- Clinical validity: not established
- Clinical utility: not established
The evidence is based on primary research involving human participants.