Substance Abuse in the Elderly: 2024 Statistics & Data

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Act of Sri Lanka, which was enacted in 2006, and the Alcohol Beverage Control Act B.E. 2551 of Thailand, which was established in 2008, are the only countries having alcohol policy frameworks in place [52]. Our study also found that with the consumption of alcohol, there is a higher risk of having health problems like Hypertension, Diabetes, Heart Diseases, Bone/Joint Diseases, and Neurological/Psychiatric Diseases, these findings are similar to other studies [50]. Consumers have access to information on the program, an interactive meeting finder, online and phone support, the annual conference, a signup page for the email list, and articles. The resilience demonstrated by veterans in overcoming addiction can serve as an inspiration to all older adults facing similar struggles.

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• If detoxification is needed, that will be the first referral indicated, whether inpatient or outpatient.
• Adjusting to decreasing physical health, strength, and cognitive functioning.
• For instance, if a client reports disagreements with her husband and has visible bruises, screen for possible abuse.
• Develop personal and meaningful reasons for wanting to change their behaviors.
• Excess sugar can cause weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, cellular aging, and cancer.

The CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye opener) Questionnaire is widely used to screen for risk of alcohol misuse. A “yes” response on any of the questions can mean substance misuse is present. However, the CAGE-AID does not ask about certain important aspects of substance use, including past substance use, frequency of use, and effects of using the substance. The CAGE-AID should be used with, but not in place of, longer and more detailed alcohol and drug screeners.

Alcohol and Drug Use Screening

The fourth section describes how to fully assess older adults who screen positive for moderate-to-severe substance misuse. A full assessment does more than just ask clients substance abuse in older adults about substance use. This will give you a more complete picture of your clients’ substance-related issues and will help you understand how substance misuse affects them.

Brain Regions Affected by Addiction: Understanding the Neurobiology

Identifying addiction in older adults can be challenging, as many of the signs can be mistaken for normal aging processes. However, being aware of certain indicators can help in early detection and intervention. The loss of purpose or identity after retirement can be devastating for some. After decades of defining oneself through work and career, the sudden void can be overwhelming. Some may turn to addiction as a way to fill the hours or recreate the rush of their working years.

Substance Use Disorders in Older Adults: Overview and Future Directions

Mutual-help programs also help keep clients socially active and reduce loneliness. These groups and their availability vary greatly in various parts of the county. Some will not be available in many localities, but online and telephone meetings may be available. Treatment planning includes preparing to provide treatment or refer to the most appropriate treatment provider.

Illicit Drug Use

Help older clients learn which health and wellness activities will help them prevent return to substance misuse, broaden social networks, build resilience, and give meaning and purpose to ongoing recovery. The second section addresses how to promote other wellness strategies for older adults. This section specifically focuses on assessing and promoting health and wellness for older adults in recovery. It addresses health and wellness activities relevant to older adults, strategies for promoting health and wellness, illness self-management and relapse prevention approaches, and strategies for promoting resilience and empowerment among older adults, including goal setting. But in clients who misuse or are at risk of misusing substances, managing chronic pain becomes even more difficult. This is because substance use can often affect chronic pain in positive ways, even though the substance itself is harmful.

Screening Instruments and Other Tools

This means that drugs can stay in their system longer and have a more significant effect. Additionally, their brains can be more sensitive to substances due to aging-related physical changes, such as decreased neurotransmitter levels or slowed metabolism. As a result, seniors are at an increased risk for developing substance use disorders and addiction-related behaviors like seeking out drugs despite negative consequences. The Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP) is a validated assessment tool of older adults’ habits and routines in health-promoting behaviors in five of the eight dimensions of wellness. It is administered as either a self-report questionnaire or a structured interview.1227 The HELP screening tool is a short version of the comprehensive assessment. It is quick and easy to understand when administered to older adults as a self-report review of health-related lifestyle and wellness factors.

• Reducing these neurotransmitters has been linked with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, increasing one’s risk for substance abuse or addiction.
• Substance use patterns can also change with life events, cognitive functioning, and mental health status.

SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes. Make referrals to medical services that provide respectful, consistent physical health care. As with any client, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ you should make appropriate referrals for medical care that is beyond what your practice setting offers. Thinking about the role of chronic physical conditions in older clients’ misuse of substances (e.g., use of substances to manage chronic pain). Such conditions can also affect symptoms of substance misuse and treatment response.

• Mutual-help groups such as AA and NA can support abstinence and foster new social connections, a sense of belonging, and healthy lifestyles.
• Keeping an open, nonjudgmental attitude will help your clients feel more comfortable sharing more information with you.
• If you do not have the training and licensure to make diagnoses, send the client to another provider in your program who can.
• Individual treatment rather than group treatment might also be a better choice.
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Contents deal with outreach, education, and prevention; screening, referral, and treatment; and service improvement by means of partnerships and team development. The appendixes list national partner organizations, federal and national agencies that provide resources on substance misuse and mental illness among older adults, and mental health and aging coalitions. Mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety can affect how a person perceives and responds to stimuli. This makes them more vulnerable to risky behaviors like substance misuse. Seniors with co-occurring psychiatric disorders may be more likely to try drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms. It’s essential for family members and health care providers to be aware of this risk factor so they can take steps to prevent it in their loved ones.