Reducing these neurotransmitters has been linked with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, increasing one’s risk for substance abuse or addiction. Treatment options for elderly alcohol abuse or drug addiction vary depending on the level of medical care substance abuse in older adults needed. They may include educational and preventative services and support, medical detox, and outpatient or inpatient treatment. Admittedly, studies on the effects of treatment of substance abuse in older adults are few and far between, which is why it is crucial to find specific ways to engage the senior.
PREVALENCE OF SUBSTANCE USE AMONG OLDER ADULTS
Barriers to treatment for older people include lack of transportation, physical disabilities, reluctance to go out in the evening, and greater dependence on their spouse. Among older people, addiction to prescription medications, particularly opioids and benzodiazepines, is an increasingly urgent public health concern. Polypharmacy is a common problem among elderly people and can itself lead to addiction. Adverse reactions from polypharmacy are common and include confusion, falls, and death.
Major Life Changes
- Nearly 1 million seniors aged 65 and older were reported to have a substance use disorder in 2018, highlighting this critical issue.
- People who struggle with internalized motivation, such as people with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may benefit from the external motivation of contingency management.
- When seniors lack meaningful relationships or become socially isolated, it can lead to feelings of loneliness, which increases their risk for developing mental health issues like depression – all of which can contribute to higher rates of substance abuse.
- This can happen when older adults have access to different medicines prescribed by multiple doctors.
Although alcohol caused Sober living house very few deaths in this age group, the rates have increased in recent years. In fact, the number of older adults dying from alcohol-related causes rose by 18.2 percent between 2019 and 2020. Substance use disorders are characterized by intense, uncontrollable cravings for drugs and compulsive drug-seeking behaviors – even in the face of devastating consequences. Substance use can result in psychological and physical dependence on drugs or alcohol. This type of disorder is particularly concerning when it affects seniors, as they can be especially vulnerable to the consequences of drug addiction.
- Though more research is needed on drug metabolism and substance misuse, the longer half-life of substances may alter the impact of drugs on older bodies.
- A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf.
- The number of adults aged 55 and over who sought out addiction treatments increased by more than 50 percent between 2009 and 2020.
- Social isolation and loneliness are significant risk factors for substance abuse in older adults.
Risk Factors
Substance abuse can have a profound impact on older adults, affecting their physical health and cognitive functioning. Understanding these impacts is essential for recognizing the signs of substance abuse in older adults and seeking appropriate help. During addiction treatment for older adults, providers will want to remain aware of how age-related physical differences may impact the recovery process.
This alarming statistic shows that substance use disorders do not discriminate and can affect any population, including older adults. Potential triggers for late-onset alcoholism and drug abuse (which developed after 65) include retirement, loss of income, death of a loved one, placement in a nursing home or relocation in general, trouble sleeping, and health decline. The most common health problems contributing to late-onset alcoholism are depression, major surgeries, and memory loss.
Trends suggest that aging Baby Boomers embrace https://test.markitso.com/10-common-causes-of-relapse-how-to-avoid-them/ marijuana and illicit drugs in far greater numbers than previous generations did. Seniors who dabbled with drugs in their youth may be more likely to turn to similar drugs, particularly marijuana, to treat ailments of old age including chronic pain. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) collect various data pieces on how to better serve the elderly population that may be suffering from co-occurring disorders.