Unmasking the Hidden Problem of Late Life Substance Abuse

When envisioning substance abuse, the last demographic that comes to mind are older adults. In reality, this age group is more severely impacted by this issue than the majority of people realize. As an individual ages, changes in physical and emotional well-being, family dynamics, status, and increased dependency in daily activities are experienced. These challenges are often endured by resorting to drug or alcohol use, an emerging public health issue that is commonly not given appropriate attention among the nation’s aging population.

Prevalence of Substance Abuse Among Seniors

Drug and alcohol abuse is harmful regardless of age, but it is more detrimental as one ages due to a weakened immune systems and higher probability of comorbid disorders. Along with a number of life changes, seniors can use substances to supplement their health, causing more serious physical effects and severe alcohol-related injuries. Mixing drugs and alcohol may be a distinct, but a scary possibility that can create harmful interactions in the body and instill addiction.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse presents the following data to support the fact that substance abuse among older adults grows more severe every day:

  • Over 2.5 million older American adults are struggling with a drug or alcohol problem.
  • Widowers over the age of 75 have been observed as the group with the highest rate of alcoholism.
  • Up to 11 percent of hospital admissions of seniors is attributed to alcohol or drug problems as often for heart attack cases.
  • More than half of seniors in nursing homes have alcohol-related issues.
  • An almost 17 million prescriptions for tranquilizers, the most abused drugs, are given to seniors every year.

The problem is growing at such an alarming rate that leading gerontological and substance abuse journals predict that the rate of substance abuse disorders among people over 50 years of age will more than double from about 2.5 million to 5.7 in 2020.

Despite these statistics, the understanding of and response to this health crisis remains to lag behind other concerns. For seniors to receive the needed help, it is imperative to know the reason why seniors use drugs and alcohol, and which treatment options can work most successfully for them. Stepping away from addiction and the chance of recovery is possible regardless of age.

Reasons Seniors Become Addicted to Substances

There are many reasons why a person can abuse drugs and alcohol, but seniors are confronted with different challenges that leave them prone to substance use disorders (SUD). The physical and cognitive decline that comes as part of aging is difficult for them to accept the significant changes. This inability often spurs substance abuse.

In most cases, lots of pills are taken for nearly every ailment, ranging from diabetes to high blood pressure and dementia. Unfortunately, at this stage in life the body takes a longer period of time to process all these drugs and the impact is significantly different than in younger bodies. Seniors may become dependent or addicted to drugs or alcohol for the following reasons:

  • Boredom of retirement
  • Grief caused by the loss of spouse and contemporaries
  • Domestic abuse
  • Marital issues, such as a difficult divorce
  • Change in living environment
  • Loss of employment
  • Financial strain
  • Dependency
  • Physical and emotional health issues
  • Simultaneous use of multiple prescribed drugs
  • Cognitive decline may cause improper or accidental use of medications
  • Treatment of co-occurring age-related health conditions
  • Slower metabolism and increased sensitivity to medications
  • Increased frequency of surgical procedures that require the use of pain relievers
  • Higher rate of sleep and anxiety problems
  • Long term use of psychoactive medications
  • Tendency to self-medicate
  • Misdiagnosis from primary care providers
  • Mixing alcohol and prescription drugs

Symptoms of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in Older Adults

There is no 100 percent way to be sure if a senior is abusing drugs or alcohol, but certain signs can indicate the presence of alcohol addiction. These include the following:

  • Drinking rituals around dinner time
  • Secretive or solitary drinking
  • Poor self-care
  • Slurred speech
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Irritability and frequent outbursts of anger
  • Unstable blood pressure
  • Recurrent accidents and injuries
  • Avoiding medical appointments
  • Frequent visits to the emergency room
  • Unfounded health complaints
  • Memory loss
  • Estrangement from family and friends
  • Strange odor in the body, breath or clothing

Drug misuse and abuse in seniors manifest in four types of symptoms, namely:

  • Cognitive – disorientation, memory loss, difficulties in decision making.
  • Social – isolation, estrangement from family, legal and financial troubles, securing a prescription for the same drugs from different doctors, purchasing the same drug from different pharmacies, increasing the frequency or dosage of drugs, running out of prescribed drugs early.
  • Physical – poor hygiene and self-care, incontinence, dizziness, increased tolerance or unusual response to medicine, poor nutrition, blackouts, idiopathic seizures, and sensory deficits.
  • Emotional – anxiety, depression, rapid mood swings, insomnia and other sleep disturbance.

The Hidden Problem

Not surprisingly, the signs of substance abuse in older adults are different than in other age groups. Since many seniors tend to isolate themselves or often live alone, it is difficult for people to notice their behavior. To further complicate matters, certain signs mimic age-related disorders, cognitive impairment or other behaviors that usually accompany aging.

Because of these factors, detecting substance abuse problem in seniors is very challenging. Isolation from loved ones, seeking treatment from several different health care providers for different medical conditions, and the occurrence of age-related physiological changes can all converge as a potential stimulus for substance abuse, while also hiding the problem.

This highlights the importance for family and caregivers of geriatric persons to be on the lookout for signs of late life substance abuse. Early recognition of any SUD reduces the occurrence of adverse drug or alcohol-related effects and consequences. It also provides the opportunity to receive early help at a faster response. Without help and treatment, a senior who abuses substances can quickly experience the impact of a severely declining quality of life and health.

Adults in Their Later Years Deserve Treatment and Recovery from Substance Abuse

The rate at which individuals 65 years and over are developing SUD is certainly distressing. It is enough reason for concern and something worthy of attention from various sectors, including the family, caretakers, and health care providers.

While experience and wisdom come with age, it is also a difficult time to admit a health problem, such as a substance abuse disorder. Aging may also impair seniors from fully realizing they are struggling with an addiction problem. In this scenario, it is upon the relatives, friends, caretakers and primary health care providers to recognize any symptoms of addiction issues in seniors under their care. If your aging loved one or someone you know is visibly impaired or displays uncharacteristic behavior, it may be time to seek professional help.

Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC has independently contracted therapists with specialized treatment options to benefit seniors battling substance abuse, dependency and co-occurring emotional health issues. Let the right fit therapist help by providing substance abuse treatment not only to improve the quality of life of the older adult involved, but deepen the relationship within your family, friends, and the community, as well. Your loved one deserves a richer and more meaningful life after addiction. Call now to schedule an appointment!

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