Wilson TD, et al. - By using data from the national Midlife in the United States study wave 2 (MIDUS 2), researchers assessed the links between social relationships, drinking, and misuse of sedative-tranquilizers. Participants were adults aged 40 and older (N = 3,378; 53.3% women). In the sample, 58.4%, 1.7%, and 3.5% used alcohol only, only misused sedatives, and co-used alcohol/misused sedative-tranquilizers, respectively. Experts found that support from friends was related to 1.18 raised risk of co-using vs not using either substance. A link was identified between source of strain and co-use for middle-aged and older adults. For middle-aged adults, increased risk of co-using was observed in relation to familial strain. For older adults, increased risk of co-use related to friend-related strain was reported. As per the evidence generated, there may exist a difference between older co-users and those in midlife in terms of social risk factors. As the aging population rises, clarifying the likely mechanisms whereby social factors influence concurrent alcohol use and sedative-tranquilizer medication misuse assist the development of targeted interventions and prevention programs in these groups.