The research published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence investigates the relationship between substance use and epigenetic age acceleration. The study utilized data from 2,276 adults participating in the Person-to-Person Health Interview Study in Indiana. Participants underwent assessments for substance use disorder (SUD) severity, clinically significant alcohol use, and provided saliva samples for DNA methylation profiling.
The authors aimed to determine if clinically significant measures of substance use were linked to accelerated biological aging, a concept measured through two specific metrics: AgeAccelGrim2 and DunedinPACE. The findings indicate that certain forms of substance use, particularly illicit and non-prescription opioid use, as well as cigarette smoking, are positively associated with biological aging.
What this study does not show
While the study identifies associations between substance use and biological aging, it does not establish causation or provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of these associations.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: Established
- Clinical validity: Partial
- Clinical utility: Not established
The evidence is based on primary research involving human participants.
The regression models used in the analysis revealed significant positive associations between various substance use indicators and measures of biological aging. Specifically, illicit opioid use showed strong correlations with both AgeAccelGrim2 and DunedinPACE, suggesting that these substances may contribute to accelerated aging processes.
Additionally, clinically significant alcohol use was positively associated with AgeAccelGrim2, while cigarette smoking was associated with both aging measures across all levels of use. Interestingly, vaping did not show a significant association when analyzed alongside cigarette smoking, indicating potential differences in the biological impacts of these substances.
These findings highlight the importance of understanding how substance use may influence biological aging, particularly in the context of public health and preventive measures. The authors call for further research to explore the mechanisms linking opioid use and vaping to accelerated biological aging.