Facts About U S. Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use Alcohol Use
Late-onset alcohol or drug abuse often begins with medications doctors prescribed to manage a specific condition. In fact, one of the first-line treatments for pain, anxiety and insomnia is a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, such as Valium or Xanax. “Benzos” are among the most dangerous prescription medications because they’re highly addictive. Also known as substance use disorder, addiction is a serious medical condition that requires professional care to treat. Indeed, recent projections show that by 2020, substance use disorders among adults over age 50 will increase to 5.7 million, up from 2.8 million in 2006.
Most Commonly Abused Substances
It also increases the chances of clients receiving the correct diagnosis and needed treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says social isolation or chronic pain may increase suicide risks among older people. For example, nearly a third (30 percent) of those aged 65 to 84 years experience chronic pain. According to the CDC, the U.S. suicide rate reached a historic high in 2022. The CDC also reports that 46 percent of people dying by suicide were previously diagnosed with a mental health condition such as depression.
Dwindling Social Support
- Many believe these structural changes could contribute to a heightened vulnerability toward addiction and other mental health issues.
- For example, a fall is more likely to result in a hip fracture or other serious injury in the elderly.
- It’s essential for family members and health care providers to be aware of this risk factor so they can take steps to prevent it in their loved ones.
- A mild SUD is present when 2 or 3 of the 11 SUD diagnostic criteria are met.
- Detox removes these toxins from the body and helps to reset these chemical changes in the brain and body.
- It also increases the chances of clients receiving the correct diagnosis and needed treatment.
Whether or not this dependency can lead to addiction remains controversial, but there are cases where this dependency mimics addiction because it interferes with everyday life. “Elderly” is often used interchangeably with “seniors,” senior citizens,” and “older adults.” You’ll see all of these used in this piece. And coming later this year are new protocols for pain management in patients aged 80 years and older. Clinicians will target a 50% dose reduction compared to what a younger patient might receive to account for physiologic differences. No matter when the addiction began, there are treatment options available to help seniors overcome addiction. To make matters more complicated, many older adults take multiple medications to treat different conditions.
- Nevertheless, healthcare and behavioral health service providers should assess how older adults use such medications, with an eye toward potential adverse reactions and interactions.
- Medical detox may use medications to accomplish this process is an inpatient or outpatient setting, depending on individual circumstances.
- From 2002 to 2021, the rate of overdose deaths quadrupled to 12 per 100,000 from 3 per 100,000, Dr. Humphreys reported in JAMA Psychiatry.
- Family members should communicate with the elderly in a respectful, empathic way.
Drugs & Supplements
Rates of overdose from opioids increased the most among people aged 65 years and older from 2021 to 2022 compared with among younger age groups. Meanwhile, recent data show less than half older adults with opioid use disorder (OUD) receive care for the condition. Support groups are vital for older adults suffering from substance abuse issues. They offer a safe substance abuse in older adults and comfortable space to talk freely and openly about one’s experiences. They can provide an opportunity for older adults to connect with peers who have gone through similar struggles, providing a forum to share advice and strategies that have proven successful in managing their addiction. Health problems, both mental and physical, tend to increase with age.
Opioid Pain Medicines
Consequences of substance misuse that might get clients to change (e.g., elevated blood pressure, worsening acid reflux symptoms, increased risk of falls). Referrals to SUD treatment programs or mental health services for clients who need more indepth assessment or intervention. Positive screens for substance misuse require follow-up, but next steps may not be immediately clear. Decisions about follow-up care depend on how much time and effort you can expend, how much training and experience you have in drug and alcohol counseling, and your program’s treatment abilities.
Guide to Substance Abuse in Older Adults: Risks, Warning Signs, and Treatments
- Older adults may not recognize the need for addiction treatment, which makes an addiction intervention vital.
- They sometimes experience minimal disruption to their lives, but this should still be taken seriously because substance use or abuse of any level—especially for the elderly—can exacerbate health problems.
- The NIDA Quick Screen V1.0 is a brief screener that asks about a client’s past-year use of alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs (nonmedical use), and illegal drugs.
- First, American Addiction Centers posits social isolation as a cause for under-recognition and underreporting of substance abuse in elderly Americans.
Mental health illnesses or challenges also often become bigger issues as we age, which could be exacerbated by inappropriate drug use. For example, the accidental misuse of prescription drugs could worsen mental health issues. A 2019 study showed 25% of patients over 50 who misuse prescription opioids or benzodiazepines (benzos) experience suicidal ideation, compared to 2% who don’t use them.
- It offers practical guidance for State Mental Health Agencies and behavioral health services providers on policy development and successful implementation and expansion of EBPs for older adults.
- Substance use disorders are characterized by intense, uncontrollable cravings for drugs and compulsive drug-seeking behaviors – even in the face of devastating consequences.
- One can help an elderly parent or grandparent do so by asking if they are taking any medicines that could cause drug interaction and communicating the symptoms of prescription drug misuse or abuse to them.
- Typically, late-onset abusers experience fewer physical and emotional health problems than early-onset ones.
People aged 75 years and older had the highest suicide rate among all age groups, largely driven by males. On the other hand, having strong social connections can improve mental health and reduce the risk of substance use disorders. Studies have found that increased social interaction among seniors has been linked with positive outcomes such as improved cognitive functioning and lower rates of depression and anxiety. In recent years, the number of senior citizens seeking addiction treatment in the United States has skyrocketed.
