An Epidemic: Substance Abuse a Growing Problem Among Seniors
Entrusted Legacy Law
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Jul 18, 2023
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
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The United States population of aging adults has grown
exponentially over the past decade. According to projections published by the
U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans aged 60 and older increased by 34
percent from 55.7 million to 74.6 million between 2009 and 2019. Unfortunately,
amid their growing numbers, more and more seniors are facing a substance use
disorder problem that in large part has remained silent.
What Are Substance Use Disorders?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
substance use disorders include “treatable, chronic diseases characterized by a
problematic pattern of use of a substance or substances leading to impairments
in health, social function, and control over substance use.”
Seniors are an overlooked group regarding substance abuse
issues, but the problem is growing nationwide. Learning the extent and cause of
substance abuse among seniors can help improve outcomes for this population.
Rates of Substance Abuse and Misuse Among Older Adults
Seniors often get disregarded in conversations about
substance misuse. Yet according to some estimates, nearly 1 million adults aged
65 and older were reported to be living with an addiction as of 2018. Today,
that number could be much higher.
Drug Abuse
Drug abuse among older adults is a dangerous problem, in
part because health care providers and caregivers so often overlook it. It may
even be diagnosed incorrectly as a health condition related to aging.
Seniors are likely to use one or more prescription
medications. Adverse drug interactions between multiple prescriptions,
nutritional supplements, and over-the-counter medication can inadvertently harm
one’s health.
Misuse of certain prescriptions can also lead to a substance
use disorder. Opioids, for example, have been prescribed to millions of people
suffering from chronic pain. The proportion of U.S. adults aged 55 and up who
have sought treatment for opioid use disorder has been surging over the past
two decades; between 2013 and 2015 alone, it jumped more than 50 percent. One
2006 study stated that at least one in four older adults were using
prescription drugs that have potential for abuse.
Many seniors are at risk of developing a dependence on
nonprescription, over-the-counter, and illicit drugs as well. Meanwhile,
research has suggested that American seniors use illicit drugs at a higher rate
than older adults from most other countries.
Alcohol Use
Surveys show that alcohol use among people 65 and older has
increased 22 percent over the past two decades. The extent of alcohol abuse
remains unknown due to the impact of underreporting. However, seniors in some
studies do report binge drinking and at-risk drinking.
People binge drink when they have five or more drinks in one
setting. According to one study, more than a tenth of older adults in the U.S.
are regular binge drinkers.
Research published by the National Library of Medicine
defines at-risk drinking as consuming more than three drinks on one occasion or
having more than seven drinks in one week. The prevalence of at-risk drinking
among men is estimated at 16 percent and 10.9 percent among women.
Note that the National Institutes of Health offers a series
of free worksheets that can help you evaluate your use of alcohol and learn how
to make positive changes.
Why Do Seniors Abuse Substances?
Seniors are less likely to abuse substances for a euphoric
effect. Older adults typically use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate against
the physical and emotional pain that comes with aging.
Some common causes of substance abuse among people aged 65
and older include:
- Loss
of a spouse or family member
- Decreased
income
- Change
in living arrangements
- Trouble
sleeping
- A
mental and physical decline in health
- Conflicts
with family
- Lack
of purpose
- Retirement
A senior’s coping style early in life may correlate with
late-life substance abuse. People with avoidant coping styles tend to rely on
substances to deal with stress and change. If seniors spend their lives
avoiding stress or problems, they are more likely to develop a late-life
drinking problem than those who cope in other ways.
Social Factors Leading to Substance Abuse Among Older Adults
Various social factors appear to increase the chance of
late-life drug and alcohol abuse. The following social factors are among those
that may lead to increased substance misuse:
- Unexpected
or forced retirement
- Social
isolation
- Being
divorced, separated, or single
- Lack
of religious affiliation
- Affluence
or feeling comfortable with the availability of financial resources
- Grief
Physical Factors Leading to Substance Abuse Among Aging
Adults
Older adults with substance abuse disorder typically have
these physical factors in common:
- Comorbidities
- Chronic
medical conditions
- Reduced
mobility
- Chronic
pain
- Poor
health status
Psychiatric Risk Factors Leading to Substance Abuse Among
Seniors
Psychiatric risk factors among older adults with substance
abuse disorder include:
- History
of substance use disorder
- Current
or previous mental illness
- Feeling
socially isolated
- Having
an avoidance coping style
Symptoms of Substance Abuse Among Older Adults
Substance abuse is a serious medical condition. Prompt
diagnosis and treatment can help seniors get the help they need to improve
their quality of life. Caregivers and medical providers should watch out for
the following symptoms of substance misuse:
- Depression
and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
- Use of
a prescription drug more often than what is outlined in the instructions
- Memory
problems
- Change
in appetite
- Social
withdrawal
- Irritability
and sadness
- Change
in sleeping patterns
- Decline
in hygiene
Leading Substance Use Disorders According to Region
Substance misuse is occurring everywhere in the U.S.,
regardless of age, but certain areas are seeing abuse of specific types of
substances. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality compiled the
following data for 2016 through 2018 about regions nationwide:
- New
Jersey and parts of Appalachia have a concentration of opioid-related
substance use disorders.
- The
Midwest, Appalachia, Rhode Island, and Nevada saw a higher concentration
of alcohol dependency issues than other parts of the country.
- Appalachia
saw a more-significant-than-average concentration of sedative-related
substance use disorders.
- Stimulant-related
disorders appeared more in the Midwest, the South, and Appalachia.
- Cannabis-related
substance abuse disorders occurred in Mississippi and other Southern
states.
Health Impacts of Substance Abuse on Seniors
The health implications of substance abuse disorder are more
significant for older people. Older people are more vulnerable than other
groups to the effects of drug use on mental health. Seniors who take
prescription medication risk negatively impacting their mental state by mixing
their medicine with recreational drugs or by abusing alcohol.
Drug and alcohol abuse can also lead to increased fall risk,
physical impairment, adverse psychiatric effects, worsening of other physical
conditions, and death.
In fact, among people aged 65 and over, certain types of
opioid overdose deaths increased by 53 percent between 2019 and 2020 alone. The
number of alcohol-related deaths for this age group rose by 18 percent over the
same timeframe.
Recovery Options for Older Adults
Whether a senior should receive inpatient or outpatient
treatment depends on their needs. Older adults with a substance use disorder
may benefit from inpatient treatment if they meet some of these criteria:
- A high
likelihood of relapse
- Suicidal
thoughts or thoughts of self-harm
- Likelihood
of experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- No
familial support
- Previous
attempts at detox
- Co-occurring
severe medical conditions that need continuous monitoring
Seniors may also need the following to get the most out of
recovery:
- Careful
case management
- Family,
group, and individual counseling
- Cognitive
behavioral therapy
How Can the Health Care Industry Help Older Adults With
Substance Use Disorder?
Much work is needed to decrease the substance abuse rates
among older adults. There is a critical need to address this problem.
Primary care physicians are the first line of defense.
Education for clinicians should include skill and strategy development to treat
substance abuse issues among older adults. Health care workers should know how
to identify substance misuse with proper screening and assessments.
Understanding co-occurring disorders and the connection between mental
illnesses and substance use disorders is also crucial.
If you notice signs of addiction in a loved one, it is
essential to get them professional help. In addition to improving their quality
of life, you may save them from succumbing to this disease.
Contact Sharek Law Office at 412-547-9855 or click here to
schedule a complimentary 15-Minute Call to learn how we can help.
This article is a service of Sharek Law Office, LLC. We don’t just draft documents; we ensure you make informed and empowered decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer a Life and Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get more financially organized than you’ve ever been before, and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by calling our office today to schedule a Life and Legacy Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge. Please note this is educational content only and is not intended to act as legal advice.
- To view the original version of this article visit www.shareklaw.com/post/an-epidemic-substance-abuse-a-growing-problem-among-seniors
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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