Almost 1 million adults ages 65 and older are living with a substance use disorder, such as addiction to prescription medications, nicotine or alcohol, according to the National Institute on Substance Abuse (NIDA).
” It’s a cause of issue due to the fact that our bodies and minds end up being more vulnerable with age,” states Nancy Irwin, Psy.D., a Los Angeles-based certified clinical psychologist at Seasons in Malibu, a recovery center in California. “Reflexes are slower and balance is more difficult, so mishaps, slips and falls are more common.”
Alcoholism
Alcohol is the most frequently used drug amongst those 65 and older. About 65% of people in that age report interesting in high-risk drinking, according to NIDA. Particularly, more than a tenth of adults in that group state they binge beverage, which implies consuming at least 5 beverages throughout a duration of about 2 hours for males and least 4 beverages in that very same timeframe for ladies.
” None of us can consume like we did in our 20s,” states Dr. Irwin. “Alcoholism is on a continuum, and numerous who have actually been able to consume socially throughout their youth and middle years discover their intake levels increase [as they age],” for factors like the loss of a partner or having a hard time to change to an empty nest.
Alcohol can be hazardous when combined with particular prescriptions and non-prescription medications. What’s more, alcohol use disorder can lead to persistent health problems, such as hypertension, heart disease, liver issues, memory problems and mood disorders.
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Mismanaged Medications
Older adults tend to be recommended more medications than more youthful people, which can provide a range of issues. “Elders have a greater possibility of blending, excessive using or abusing their medication,” states Chaye McIntosh, the New Jersey-based clinical director of outpatient services at ChoicePoint, whichprovides addiction treatment programs “This [tendency] might be due to age-associated dementia, absence of correct care or individual disregard.” Not to reference, she states, some older adults may integrate their medication with alcohol, “which can boost their results and lead the way for addiction.”
Misusing prescription medication can lead to severe issues. According to a 2019 research study consisting of patients over age 50, more than 25% of those who misused prescription opioids or benzodiazepines experienced self-destructive ideation, or dreams to pass away. Just 2% of those who didn’t use such drugs skilled self-destructive ideation.