Elderly and addictions EBSCO Research Starters

These may include in-patient rehabilitation, intensive outpatient treatment, therapy, self-help groups, including evidence-based programs like SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment8), and/or medication management23. Support groups are vital for older adults suffering from substance abuse issues. They offer a safe and comfortable space to talk freely and openly about one’s experiences.

Dwindling Social Support

• There are caring people who want to help you, no matter what problems you’re dealing with.
• This guide helps professional care providers and administrators understand the role of culture in the delivery of mental health and substance use services.
• These may include in-patient rehabilitation, intensive outpatient treatment, therapy, self-help groups, including evidence-based programs like SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment8), and/or medication management23.
• Now is the time to ensure that aging well is a right for all, not just for a few.
• Researchers estimate that baby boomers exhibit rates of addiction and emotional illness that are at least three times those of the current elderly population.

Identification of problem use among older adults does not depend on the quantity and frequency of use but on the context in which substances are used. For example, older adults may experience extreme problems with alcohol even when ingesting it at minimal levels because of medical conditions, such as gout or pancreatitis. Individuals ages 65 and older have lower odds of perceived treatment need than younger individuals, and often report a lack of readiness to stop using substances as one of their primary reasons to not seek treatment (Choi et al., 2014).

Prevalence of Past-Year Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Addiction often goes unnoticed due to generational attitudes that discourage seeking help and the tendency for elderly individuals to consume substances in private settings, leading to insufficient reporting and diagnosis. Many seniors face isolation, chronic pain, or the loss of loved ones, all of which can contribute to substance use as a coping mechanism. Additionally, interactions between prescription medications and alcohol or illicit drugs can create severe health risks.

Medicare Coverage of Opioid Treatment Programs: Consumer Facts

One of the main reasons substance abuse in older adults is overlooked is that its symptoms often mimic those of aging or chronic illnesses. Memory problems, fatigue, or frequent falls can all be attributed to natural aging processes, masking underlying substance misuse. Our writers and reviewers are experienced professionals in medicine, addiction treatment, and healthcare. AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.

Alcoholism in the elderly is more likely to cause functional impairment, compromising their ability to perform everyday tasks such as shopping, cleaning, and cooking. Researchers have long recognized the difficulties of accurately estimating rates of alcohol abuse among the elderly, with suggested rates that range from less than 2 percent to more than 20 percent. Elderly alcohol abusers often remain unnoticed compared with younger adults because they often drink at home and are less likely to have their problem drinking revealed by intervention at work or by legal problems, such as an arrest for drunk drinking. The elderly also are more self-conscious about their drinking and are reluctant to seek help because they view their addiction as a sign of low moral character.

It is advised that you conduct your own investigation as to the accuracy of any information contained herein as such information, including without limitation any medical advice, is provided “as is” for informational purposes only. Further, SeniorLiving.org shall not be liable for any informational error or for any action taken in reliance substance abuse in older adults on information contained herein. “We see a lot of women diagnosed at menopause,” she said, adding that low estrogen levels in a woman with ADHD can lead to a dopamine deficit. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. The research, supported by AARP, focused only on cannabis products that contain THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for generating that “high” feeling. CBD products, which have also grown in popularity among older adults, are different, as they contain only very small amounts of THC.

Individualized Therapy Modalities

• Generally, older adults are less likely than young people to misuse drugs and alcohol.
• This agency evaluates the need for and promotes the availability of substance abuse services for this population.
• The major limitation of naltrexone in an older-adult population, many of whom have chronic pain, is that it blocks the effect of opiate-based pain medications.
• Meetings with same-age cohorts enable peer bonding, provide mutual support, and help establish peer sobriety networks.
• Rates of benzodiazepine use are shown to be impacted by misdiagnosis, over-prescription, and misdosing.

Because comorbid psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and personality disorders, are common and recognized among younger adults, it is assumed that these comorbidities also continue into late life. For example, older adults may be more likely to disclose depressive symptoms and present to primary care settings rather than mental health or substance abuse treatment settings. Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety can affect how a person perceives and responds to stimuli. Seniors with co-occurring psychiatric disorders may be more likely to try drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms.

Addiction creates many difficulties, especially when it occurs in underrepresented communities. The following resources can help older adults, their loved ones, and care providers with SUD management. Older adults and their loved ones might start by looking for Medicare-accepting services. Factors such as physical pain, discrimination, and inaccessibility can trigger alcohol and drug use. For instance, a person who misuses alcohol may experience issues with balance and coordination, but these issues may also increase as we age.

TIP 35: Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

• The situation is known as polypharmacy and is estimated to cause death inone hundred thousand older adults each year.
• Furthermore, many doctors are reluctant to diagnose elderly patients’ substance abuse problems because they are not convinced that the common rehabilitation approach, which involves peer groups and self-help programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, works well for the elderly.
• They may include educational and preventative services and support, medical detox, and outpatient or inpatient treatment.
• Recognizing these differences is key to understanding the problem and finding effective solutions.
• The federal agency that analyzes substance abuse by older Americans is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

However, the following types of substance abuse care may meet the unique needs of this demographic. For instance, impaired judgment may increase the risk of accidents and falls in people who already struggle with stability and balance. Addiction creates physical and mental health consequences for people of all age groups. According to NIDA, major life changes such as moving to a new home or losing a loved one are risk factors for substance use and addiction. However, older adults still experience certain risk factors that can increase their chances of substance misuse. In older adults, noticing addiction can become especially difficult, as some symptoms of drug abuse may mimic common signs of aging.

• However, when combined with alcohol, illicit substances, or addictive prescription drugs, they may metabolize differently in the body and cause adverse effects.
• Older participants in these programs often assert that they think their abuse problem is different from those of younger group members, and they report feeling self-conscious and out of place.
• Chronic pain, insomnia, and mental health conditions like anxiety or depression often lead to overuse of painkillers, sedatives, or anti-anxiety medications.

The challenges faced by this population—combined Halfway house with increasing rates of substance misuse—highlight the need for specialized treatment and greater awareness. Addressing these issues through comprehensive evaluations, tailored care plans, and community support can help older adults achieve recovery and improve their quality of life. Physicians should monitor medications closely to prevent misuse and consider non-addictive alternatives for pain and mental health conditions.