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Encouragement from friends and family can significantly impact recovery outcomes. For more on the importance of a support system, read about the importance of a strong support system in recovery. For those seeking help, understanding these signs can pave the way towards recovery options, ensuring that older adults receive the care they need. MMWR and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report are service marks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. References to non-CDC sites on the Internet are provided as a service to MMWR readers and do not constitute or imply endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the U.S.
- Adults with SUD often receive both uncoordinated addiction treatment and fragmented primary medical care to manage their chronic medical problems.
- (See Chapter 4 for examples of how DSM-5 criteria for AUD might not be age appropriate.) For instance, tolerance is a DSM-5 criterion for an SUD diagnosis.
- Brief assessment helps make or rule out diagnoses and aids you and your clients in making appropriate shared treatment decisions.
- The health consequences of drug abuse vary, depending on the type of drug used and the method of drug consumption.
- Recent research has found that people addicted to cocaine in their youth may have an accelerated age-related decline in temporal lobe gray matter, which increases their risk of addiction.
Who Is Most at Risk?
The reasons for this type of addiction involve tolerant attitudes toward substance use, family conflict, and financial troubles. When you use more than one substance at the same time, you increase the risk of unintended or harmful effects. Racial and socioeconomic disparities persist through age, and older age likely complicates such disparities further. Age trends in SUDs across ages 18–90 showed that disparities by race/ethnicity varied with age; for example, SUDs were more prevalent in Black adults at older ages and more prevalent in White adults at younger ages 81. These findings suggest an interplay between older age, race, and socioeconomic status that must be further explored to provide the most appropriate care for the geriatric population.
Additional Resources
Screen regularly, before starting new medication, and when potentially substance-related problems arise, such as injury or accidents. Have clinical assistants administer screening instruments in an interview or as part of other health screenings. Provide a paper or digital tablet version for clients to complete by themselves. USPSTF recommends electronic screening and brief intervention as an effective strategy to prevent excessive alcohol use.320 Some older adults may not be comfortable using computers or tablets. Be sensitive to each client’s skills and abilities when selecting screening formats.
Interruption in social and occupation roles or other repercussions of elderly drug abuse may be less noticeable or likely to occur at this stage of life. With age, one departs from these roles naturally in the vast majority of cases, such as through social isolation due to age-group peer mortality or retirement. Finally, seniors have trouble identifying risky behaviors surrounding alcohol and prescription drug use, making it even harder to establish that such behavior is occurring. Bupropion, varenicline, and nicotine replacement are options for nicotine dependence.
Our compassionate team understands the unique challenges facing seniors and provides personalized healthcare to support your journey toward recovery and renewed vitality. With evidence-based treatment options, holistic approaches, and a Substance abuse supportive community, Wellbridge is your partner in reclaiming a fulfilling and substance-free life. As people age, many sooner or later have problems completing everyday tasks on their own, like bathing, cooking, shopping, and driving. Substance misuse can make everyday living even more difficult, including ADLs and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). ADLs are basic everyday tasks like dressing, using the toilet, using the phone, and feeding oneself.
Why Do Seniors Abuse Drugs and Alcohol?
Let’s start with some definitions to better understand the impact of substances on our bodies. According to the CDC, alcohol was an underlying cause of death for 11,616 adults aged 65 and over in 2020. Although alcohol caused 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.
It has contributed to a misconception that seniors do not abuse alcohol or drugs, and there is no such problem as alcoholism in the elderly. An ever-growing body of evidence suggests that substance abuse in older adults has gone unnoticed for decades. The baby boom generation, which is currently in its 60s, faces some frighteningly real risks. Provides information about the scope of substance use in older adults, the risk factors for substance use disorders in… There also exist disparities in completion of substance use treatment programs.
Rehab centers may implement specific programs for older adults as well, which can foster a sense of belonging. If rehab programs lack appropriate accommodations, they may prevent older adults with disabilities from receiving treatment. Group therapy can mitigate these feelings of loneliness, but older adults may have fewer opportunities to participate in addiction groups. Addiction is an isolating disorder, and feelings of isolation can trigger alcohol and drug use. When used appropriately, these replacement opioids do not cause euphoria, but they do reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction Treatment Options For Older Adults
The fifth section guides providers in treatment planning, treating, or referring for treatment. Understanding what steps to take in offering effective care or referral for care is a cornerstone of good clinical practice. If you or anyone you know is undergoing a severe health crisis, call a doctor or 911 immediately. Taking part in 12-step program meetings such as Alcoholic Anonymous is an important approach to relapse prevention and treatment in general. Meetings with same-age cohorts enable peer bonding, provide mutual support, and help establish peer sobriety networks.
Use a checklist or question list to make sure you cover all possible traumas and not just ones that are commonly thought of (like physical and sexual abuse). You can find more information about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on the CDC’s website (/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/acestudy/index.html). The item scores are added to produce a total score ranging from 16 to 80, with higher scores reflecting more worry. A score of 50 or higher by an older person could mean significant worries are present, but research on cutoff scores in older people is too limited to know for certain.396 Do not assume that an older client who scores below 50 does not have anxiety. The final section identifies targeted resources to support your practice, from screening to referral. AddictionResource aims to present the most accurate, trustworthy, and up-to-date medical content to our readers.
Understand the relationship between substance misuse and depression, anxiety, trauma, and problems with thinking (also called cognitive impairment). The main reason for screening and assessment is to help you decide whether, where, and how to address substance misuse. A plain language summary of prescription opioids that explains effects on the brain and reported use.
It is important to note, though, that some prescription opioid drugs, particularly prescription fentanyl, are stronger than heroin. In the early years of the opioid crisis, pharmaceutical companies de-emphasized the addictive nature of prescription opioids, leading doctors to prescribe them in large amounts. As a result, they are often prescribed for chronic and acute pain conditions, which older adults experience more often than younger adults. Marijuana use has also increased slightly among older adults, possibly due to increased legalization and the prevalence of medical marijuana.
