As a result, seniors are at an increased risk for developing substance use disorders and addiction-related behaviors like seeking out drugs despite negative consequences. There is a large body of evidence showing that brief interventions delivered in a variety of health care and social service settings can effectively reduce drinking, particularly for at-risk and problem users under age 60. Indeed, researchers have conducted over 100 studies of brief intervention techniques over the past 25 years. The general format of brief alcohol interventions has been relatively consistent over time (Barry 1999). Typically, interventions include personalized feedback based on a person’s responses to screening questions and generic messages to cut down on or stop drinking.
Substance Abuse in Older Adults
Substance use disorders of prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs can become a very real nightmare for anyone by accident or not, young or old. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates that almost 1 million people age 65 and older have a substance use disorder (SUD), based on research conducted in 2018 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Studies have also shown that though these individuals are less likely to seek help, they can benefit from treatment just as well as those in other age brackets.
Are older adults impacted differently by alcohol and drugs?
SUD can be difficult to recognize in older adults and lead to treatment delays due to medical comorbidity, neurocognitive impairment, and functional decline (Seim et al., 2020). A key consideration in the treatment of older adults with SUD is that they often have co-occurring general medical illnesses (Wu and Blazer, 2014). Substance use can complicate the course and management of existing illnesses and they, in turn, can worsen the consequences of substance use and SUD. Societal norms tend to reinforce the perception that older adults do not have SUD (Kuerbis and Sacco, 2013).
- In older adults, noticing addiction can become especially difficult, as some symptoms of drug abuse may mimic common signs of aging.
- The DSM criterion related to continued use of the substance despite recurrent or persistent problems may not apply to many seniors who do not realize that these problems, such as depression, are related to alcohol use or misuse of prescription drugs.
- On the other hand, disulfiram should generally be avoided in older adults due to its contraindications with cerebrovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, etc., that are more common in older adults 29.
- Although some stigma still surrounds mental health disorders, public attitudes are shifting considerably, and younger adults often have favorable views of mental health treatment.
- This is quite easily done, due to the fact that opioid pain relievers (extremely addictive prescription medications like Percocet or Vicodin) are often prescribed to elderly individuals to treat conditions that they have been diagnosed with.
Opioid Pain Medicines
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction issues later in life and needs help finding a treatment program, contact a treatment provider today. Benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety, pain, or insomnia, are some of the most dangerous prescription drugs for seniors. The questions can be adapted to a specific substance, such as a prescription medication, and they can be asked either Sober living home in the context of an interview or self-administered. Psychometric properties of the CAGE-AID have not been reported, yet the CAGE has been extensively studied.
In particular, as people age, liver enzymes that metabolize alcohol and other drugs are less efficient, and the central nervous system becomes more sensitive to drugs. In addition, age-related decreases in lean body mass result in a decrease in the aqueous volume of cells, which in turn increases the effective concentration of alcohol and other mood-altering chemicals in the body. Because drinking comparable amounts of alcohol produces higher and longer-lasting blood alcohol levels in older adults than in younger people, many problems common among older people, such as chronic illness and poor nutrition may be exacerbated by even small amounts of alcohol. Likewise, because older adults who drink are more likely to take alcohol-interactive medications than younger drinkers (Breslow et al. 2015), they substance abuse in older adults may be at increased risk for adverse alcohol-medication interactions. Clinicians who treat older patients can assess the number of drinks per day, the number of drinking days, and any binge drinking to begin to address the health implications of an individual’s pattern of use. Unfortunately, chronic pain can also increase older adults’ risks of developing substance misuse issues.
Outpatient Treatment
- Furthermore, recent cohorts of individuals ages 65 and older tend to show a higher prevalence of lifetime substance use than that seen in prior generations (Chhatre et al., 2017).
- However, the following types of substance abuse care may meet the unique needs of this demographic.
- Several screening tools have been adapted or validated for use in older adults, particularly for alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- Compared to their younger counterparts, older adults are more vulnerable to the impacts of alcohol.
Rehab centers often offer specialized programs, such as addiction treatment for LGBTQ people, veterans, and young adults. One of the most common forms of MAT is opioid replacement therapy, in which a doctor prescribes a long-acting opioid medication to replace the drug that the person currently uses. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) involves the use of medication paired with therapy to facilitate addiction recovery. These types of therapy may mitigate the loneliness that older adults often experience. As loneliness is a common addiction trigger, group-based therapy modalities may serve as an effective form of relapse prevention.
People in the older population experience more social difficulties than younger adults, often experiencing loneliness and isolation. Older adults may also forget about certain drug interactions, which may cause them to mix substances that should not be combined. The content, including without limitation any viewpoint or opinion in any profile, article or video, contained on this website is for informational purposes only. Any third party contributor to any such profile, article or video has been compensated by SeniorLiving.org for such contribution. 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 on information contained herein.
Prevalence of Alcohol Misuse Among Older Adults
When rehab centers provide specialized care for older adults, they may offer support groups for this demographic. Addiction is an isolating disorder, and feelings of isolation can trigger alcohol and drug use. Faith-based rehab programs, such as Christian rehab programs, may benefit older adults who wish to incorporate their spirituality into their addiction care.
- These studies suggest that treatment is effective, especially for older women, and that a longer length of stay in treatment results in better outcomes12,13.
- In 2009, SAMSHA did a national survey that revealed that one-quarter of the prescription drugs that are sold within the United States are used by the elderly population, and the prevalence of abuse of these drugs can be as high as 11%.
- In addition, meta-analyses of randomized controlled studies examining the effectiveness of brief interventions find that these techniques generally reduce drinking in the intervention group.
Your addiction does not have to define who you are.
As people age, their bodies undergo changes that can affect their physical and mental health. Blood flow can decrease, and relationships between neurons can change, influencing cognitive function. Some experience a decrease in serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters responsible for regulating moods and emotions. 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.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), providers may confuse symptoms of substance use with other signs of aging, including chronic health conditions or reactions to stressful, life-changing events. Research by Blazer and Wu carried out for the National Institutes of Health found that 2.9 million adults over 50 years of age used opioids non-medically in 2012. The use of benzodiazepines, the most commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs, ranged from 15.2% to 32.0% in persons over 65 that year.