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The fact that women are more likely to have lost a spouse because of death or divorce, to have had experience with depression, and to have been prescribed medicines that increase the negative effects of alcohol help explain these gender differences. Physicians should monitor medications closely to prevent misuse and consider non-addictive alternatives for pain and mental health conditions. Substance abuse in older adults differs from that of younger people in several critical ways. Age-related changes in metabolism make older adults more sensitive to the effects of drugs and alcohol. For instance, what may seem like moderate drinking can have a significant impact on their physical and mental health. As people age, they are prescribed more medications by providers, and the aging body becomes more susceptible to the effects of those medications that are consumed.
If You Think You Have an Alcohol Problem
Family members should communicate with the elderly in a respectful, empathic way. Finally, seniors have trouble identifying risky behaviors surrounding alcohol and prescription drug use, making it even harder to establish that such behavior is occurring. Moreover, they can unknowingly become addicted to these medications, making it another cause of substance abuse in the elderly.
Risks of Marijuana Use
Recent statistics reveal that approximately 10.7% of older adults engage in binge alcohol use monthly, while 2.8% participate in heavy alcohol use during the same time frame. Up to 15% of older healthcare patients may meet the criteria for at-risk drinking. Substance abuse can have a profound impact on older adults, affecting their physical health and cognitive functioning.
- Social isolation is a risk factor for substance abuse, as people may use substances to compensate for feelings of disconnection.
- Additionally, interactions between prescription medications and alcohol or illicit drugs can create severe health risks.
- All information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
- Faith-based rehab programs, such as Christian rehab programs, may benefit older adults who wish to incorporate their spirituality into their addiction care.
- In fact, most seniors experience reduced tolerance due to age-related physiologic changes that augment the effects of alcohol and other drugs.
Peer Support
Use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 criteria alone to diagnose SUD in older adults is difficult and lacks accuracy. The DSM-5 criteria are not relevant to biologic and social factors seen in aging older adults. Changes in older adults, like symptoms of tolerance or withdrawal, manifest differently due to biological changes in adults.
Older adults may struggle to form new memories, and they may lose some long-term memories as well. Other studies indicate that older adults are less likely to experience severe mood disorders such as bipolar disorder. There are many roads to recovery and with the right support you can live a healthy and active life.
When examining SUD treatment admissions, patients were mostly referred by an individual (patient or other non-provider) or the criminal justice system. Healthcare providers accounted for only 12.8% of referrals for older adults to substance abuse treatment programs, perhaps suggesting that there is room for improvement in the screening and discussion of SUDs in older adults 6. According to Harvard University, older adults metabolize alcohol more slowly than younger people. This means that drugs can stay in their system longer and have a more significant effect. Additionally, their brains can be more Twelve-step program sensitive to substances due to aging-related physical changes, such as decreased neurotransmitter levels or slowed metabolism.
MI is concentrated on gauging a person’s readiness to change and cultivating ambivalence. Embracing the flux of an elderly person’s choice between growth and stagnation can lead them to examine the benefits of change more closely and ultimately determine the course of action that is best for them. Putting their mindset under a therapeutic microscope can assist clients in deeply contemplating their substance use within the context of the trajectory of the remainder of their lives. Many seniors live on fixed incomes, which can make affording high insurance premiums or treatment fees a daunting task.
- Aside from pharmacologic treatments, AUD is often treated with interventions such as twelve-step facilitation (TSF); in fact, there is high quality evidence that TSF interventions are more effective than cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for increasing abstinence in those with AUD 30.
- In general, primary care physicians and specialists do not routinely assess or screen older adults for substance use disorders.
- The increasing recognition of substance misuse among older adults underscores the importance of appropriate treatment.
- If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, 12 South Recovery is here to help.
- Although addiction may be more difficult to recognize in this demographic, it’s important to pay attention to any unusual signs your elderly loved one displays.
*5* Simple Tips on How to Achieve Your Ultimate Health in 2022 and Beyond!
While older adults may abuse a variety of substances, alcohol and prescription medications are among the most common. Alcohol abuse is prevalent among older adults due to factors such as social isolation, retirement, and the availability of alcohol. Prescription medications, particularly opioids, benzodiazepines, and sedatives, are also frequently misused, often unintentionally, due to age group and changes in metabolism and medication management. Recognizing this growing concern, Wellbridge offers treatment and support to seniors battling addiction and dual diagnosis issues.