Drug and Alcohol Treatment Resources for the Elderly

Seniors are not the first demographic that comes to mind when envisioning drug and alcohol abuse. But individuals in this age group are more severely impacted by this issue than most people realize. With age, the elderly experience changes in their physical and mental well-being, social circles and family dynamics, and may require more assistance in their everyday lives. The challenges of growing older are only exacerbated by drug or alcohol use, an issue that is commonly overlooked among the older population. 

With 2.5 million seniors struggling with a drug or alcohol problem in the U.S., elderly substance abuse grows more severe every day, and yet the understanding of and response to this health crisis is seriously lagging. To get seniors the help they need, it is imperative to know how and why the elderly use medications and other drugs, and which options for rehab care are the most successful for them. Senior substance use disorders can be treated, and recovery is possible for anyone, no matter their age.       

Substance Abuse Among the Elderly

While substance abuse is harmful at any point in life, it is the most detrimental in old age. In tandem with an increasing number of life changes, seniors usually begin to supplement their health with more over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, which can create harmful interactions in the body and spur addiction. And as a person grows older, the body’s ability to process each of these medications slows significantly. For this reason, seniors may become addicted to much smaller doses of prescription drugs than young people.

Seniors use a variety of substances, but the most common types are alcohol and prescription medications, like opioids and benzodiazepines. But a growing number of elderly Americans also use illicit drugs. In 2010, according to emergency room reports, 60 percent of illicit substance users were ages 50 to 55. While some seniors reported taking drugs like cannabis for chronic pain, others also reported using cocaine, meth (or crystal meth) and heroin.

Seniors and Alcohol Abuse

As a regular vice or coping mechanism, alcohol is the most commonly abused drug among adults age 65 and over. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), widowers aged 75 and older have the highest rate of alcoholism in America.

The American Geriatrics Society and the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommend that those over the age of 65 drink no more than seven standard drinks (like a 12 oz. beer or 5 oz. glass of wine) per week. At-risk drinking (more than three drinks on one occasion or more than seven per week) is more common among the elderly than alcohol use disorders (AUD). While binge drinking is less widely noted in this age group, heavy drinking is often underreported, and alcoholism in elderly adults is frequently overlooked by medical staff and family members.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse in Older Adults

When it comes to the elderly and alcohol abuse, there are several signs that may indicate the presence of alcohol addiction, including:

• Poor self-care
• Shirking medical appointments
• Unstable hypertension
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Recurrent falls or other injuries
• Frequent visits to the emergency room
• Uncharacteristic changes in behavior
• Estrangement from friends and family
• Drinking before, during or after meals
• Outbursts of anger or increased irritability

As with any age group, if older adults drink alcohol while taking prescription drugs, harmful interactions can occur. With the elderly specifically, it takes their bodies a longer period of time to process alcohol, as their metabolism is much slower than a younger person’s. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) compiled a list of common medications seniors take and how each interacts dangerously with alcohol. There can also be dangerous interactions when an older adult mixes their prescription sleeping pills, benzodiazepines (including Xanax), and depressants with alcohol.

If you’ve noticed any signs of alcoholism in your older loved one, they might have an alcohol use disorder or may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. If you’re concerned that a friend or family member’s drinking has gone too far, alcoholism treatment may be the best course of action.

Elderly Prescription Drug Abuse

When it comes to drug abuse, elderly adults are more prone to addiction than other age groups. Seniors use prescription drugs for all sorts of ailments, from chronic pain to insomnia. According to the NCADD, those 65 years of age and older consume nearly 40 percent of all medications prescribed in the country. And in contrast to other age groups, the elderly are more likely to take an increasing number of prescription drugs at any given time. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that about 3 in 10 people between the ages of 57 and 85 use at least five prescription drugs. Additionally, about 25 percent of seniors take highly addictive psychoactive medications for longer periods of time than any other age group. All of these statistics add up to seniors being much more likely than any other age group to experience prescription drug addiction. 

While older adults take a variety of over-the-counter, prescription and illicit drugs, there are two classes of substances that most of their medication falls under: opioids and benzodiazepines.

Why Is Substance Abuse in Older Adults So Common?

While there are many reasons adults struggle with drug abuse, elderly individuals face different struggles that make them more prone to substance use disorders. Substance use disorders in older adults can be spurred by an inability to cope with significant changes involved with aging. These can be related to marital issues, such as a difficult divorce or the death of a spouse, or a change of environment in moving to a senior living facility. Other major changes, like the loss of employment, can weigh heavily on seniors, prompting self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. Major physical changes can also spark drug addiction, such as increased physical disability and surgeries that require an increased dosage of opioid painkillers for recovery.

Mental health decline is another reason seniors struggle with substance abuse. With old age comes memory loss and confusion, and in some cases, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, many seniors suffer from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, which tranquilizers like Xanax and Klonopin are often prescribed for. It can be all too easy for older adults to confuse two medications or take too many pills accidentally while they are dealing with mental illnesses or cognitive decline, which can lead to physical dependence on drugs.

Senior Living: Which Setting Is Best?

As an older adult or the caregiver of a senior, choosing where to live is paramount as you grow older. There are many different options, ranging from independent living at home to adult day care to retirement communities and assisted living facilities. You can also choose an in-home senior care service to live with more independence, or if you have unique medical needs, you may choose to live in a nursing home. The choice is yours, but each option involves different considerations.

Each of these settings has its own pros and cons, and each will cater to your physical, medical and mental needs in a different way. The best way to decide on a senior living style is to talk your options over with your family members and your doctor, both of whom will take into account your specific needs and wants.

Misdiagnosis of Senior Substance Use Disorders

Misdiagnosis of substance use disorders in seniors happens for many reasons. Insufficient knowledge, limited data and rushed office visits all contribute to this problem. The red flags of substance abuse in older individuals may be difficult to pinpoint, as they are similar to the signs of aging. They can also mimic the signs of other common disorders seniors experience, like diabetes, dementia and depression.

Making matters worse, the signs of addiction can appear differently in seniors, which can lead to misdiagnosing of medication and the overlooking (or dismissal) of drug dependence altogether. In addition, most doctors will not automatically suspect that a senior has a drug use problem, even though the elderly are often prescribed several drugs simultaneously.

Senior Medication Misdosing

When seniors take multiple medications, misdosing can be accidental. But in other cases, this can occur due to cognitive decline (and in some cases, Alzheimer’s disease), disregard for warning labels, chemical dependence and misdiagnosis by a doctor. It can be difficult for older adults to remember when and how to take each of their medications, especially when their memory isn’t as clear as it used to be and they are taking multiple prescriptions for a longer period of time.

Incorrect dosing of medication can lead to chemical dependence and addiction, so it’s important to always take each prescription as directed. If you’re worried about your medication use or that of a loved one, talk to your doctor or medical professional. You can ask questions like, “Do I take any pills that shouldn’t be taken together?” or “What should I do if I feel like I can’t stop taking a medicine?”

Treatment for Elderly Substance Abuse

Being the family member of a senior with a drug or alcohol problem can be a hard struggle to cope with. Your loved one may be unaware that they have an addiction, without realizing that the risks increase with the amount of pills they take. If your elderly parent, friend or family member is visibly impaired, defensive about their medications, or displays other uncharacteristic behavior, it may be time to seek professional rehab care. 

With a team of caring medical staff, The Recovery Village helps adults of all ages overcome substance use disorders in a safe environment. Depending on the severity of the addiction, treatment may start with medical detox before moving on to inpatient or outpatient programming. Each treatment plan at The Recovery Village also includes mental health counseling, holistic therapies like yoga, and beautiful amenities at each location nationwide. 

At The Recovery Village, you can find the strength you need to leave substance abuse behind for good at any age. Call today to speak with a representative who understands what you’re going through and can guide you toward the right program of care.