Substance abuse among seniors and older adults
It is safe to say that substance abuse and addiction does not play favorites, regardless of demographics group. This includes the seniors/older adults group due to the different medications they are prescribed by their physicians which have powerfully addictive tendencies. Many of the health organizations and medical professionals have found that opiate-based painkillers and synthetic opioids are typically the culprits. Additionally, with alcohol addiction, the prescription medication turns lethal.
The seniors/older adults group are not as aware of how easily a tolerance can build up and result in a chemical dependency on these medications unlike recreational users or younger individuals who are taking the medications as prescribed. Additionally, the chances of addictions turning into life threatening fatalities is higher with older adults due to impending health problems and prescription medication that can react with alcohol. Today, there are numerous addiction treatment and recovery centers that offer senior/older adults alcohol treatment programs.
How serious of a problem is seniors/older adults substance abuse and addiction? Not only is it a serious problem, it is one that is growing. Here are some statistics to illustrate this:
- Over 10% of all individuals that are admitted into rehab programs today are over the age of 50, i.e. seniors/older adults
- By the year 2020, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Federal Government has estimated that there will be nearly 4.5 million alcohol/ substance abusers
- Despite the fact that prescription drug abuse is a rapidly growing problem, alcohol abuse and dependency is still the primary issue with the seniors/older adults group
- Because of the fact that there is a generational reluctance to make their problems public knowledge, it is considerably harder to get this age group into rehab programs
- Ironically (based on the prior statistic), these seniors/older adults are more motivated and willing to finish the rehab program once they have entered it
- The use of street drugs (e.g. cocaine, crack, heroin, methamphetamines, etc.) is far less common in this age group
- Better results and greater success is typically achieved by these individuals when they enter a rehab program that is exclusively for the seniors/older adults group
Seniors/older adults deserve the right help as well
Treatment 4 Alcohol, the addiction treatment referral site knows that alcohol abuse does not play favorites and attacks males and females from all walks of life regardless of age, economic status, education, gender, race, and religion. If you or a loved one is in need of our help, we encourage you to contact us by calling us at the toll-free phone number listed above at the top of this page.