If someone were to ask you to close your eyes and imagine a person with a substance use disorder, chances are you would picture someone in their younger years, struggling with peer pressure, or a young adult at the beginning of their independent life. However, addiction is not limited to age. In fact, an increasing number of older adults across the United States are struggling with substance misuse, often silently, without the support they need. It might be due to chronic pain or grief, isolation, or years of prescribed medication use; no matter the reason why, older adults can be especially vulnerable to developing a dependency on drugs or alcohol.
As our senior population grows, understanding the unique risks and signs of addiction in aging adults is more important than ever. Families and caregivers play an invaluable role in identifying concerns and guiding their loved ones toward the help they deserve. In this article, you will discover why older adults are at an increased risk, the statistics behind the rising issue, and their specific health challenges. Last, we will focus on the value of support systems and recovery options that can help aging adults reclaim their health and restore hope for their golden years.
Why Older Adults Are at Risk for Addiction
Addiction is a commonly overlooked problem in our aging population, more common than most realize, largely due to a unique set of age-related factors that increase this risk. Learning what these risks are makes it easier for families and caregivers to recognize a problem. Let’s take a look.
- Aging adults commonly have a variety of multiple prescriptions to take daily. With nearly half of adults over the age of 65 taking five or more medications daily, dependency and dangerous drug interaction risks increase.
- As people age, their metabolism slows and increases their sensitivity to substances, making even moderate alcohol or drug use potentially harmful and dangerous.
- Chronic pain and mobility issues are a real concern with aging adults. These issues often lead to a dependence on prescription opioids or sedatives for relief.
- Major life changes like retirement, loss of a spouse, or declining health can lead to loneliness, isolation, or depression, initiating substance use as a coping mechanism to deal with the emotional pain.
Understanding these physical, emotional, and social challenges that come with aging helps explain why older adults are vulnerable to substance use disorders. This is an issue that calls for greater empathy, awareness, and action. To underscore the scope of the problem, let’s look at the alarming statistics on addiction among aging adults.
The Growing Number of Addictions in the Aging Population
- In 2022, it was reported that one in eleven adults 60 years of age or older suffered from substance abuse.
- The rise in substance abuse among those over 50 is being driven by the aging baby boomer (born between 1946 and 1964) population and is expected to continue rising.
- From the year 2020 to the year 2022, overdoses among older adults more than tripled!
- Based on recent and available data, approximately 1.3 million to 1.5 million adults over the age of 60 in the United States are estimated to have opioid use disorder.
These rapidly rising statistics demonstrate that this issue can no longer be ignored. As substance abuse among older adults continues to rise, being able to recognize the early warning signs is more important than ever. Understanding these unique signs is the first step toward getting help for yourself or your loved one.
Unique Signs of Addiction in Older Adults
Addiction in older adults is often harder to recognize than in younger individuals. From easily overlooked symptoms to changes in behavior and physical condition, these early warning signs are unique and easily mistaken for normal aging. Let’s take a closer look.
Subtle and Overlooked Symptoms: Perhaps one of the most common reasons addiction in aging adults is often overlooked is that these signs can be mistaken for the normal aspects of aging. Subtle indicators like increased forgetfulness, unexplained fatigue, changes in sleep patterns, or withdrawal from social interactions can go easily unnoticed or can simply be linked to aging or medical issues. Mood swings, irritability, and depression may also appear, yet are many times brushed off as part of the emotional toll of getting older. Watch for changes in hygiene or neglect in responsibilities, such as missing appointments. These symptoms require careful attention and observation as they can mask a growing substance use disorder that, if left unaddressed, could seriously compromise a person’s health and independence.
Behavioral and Physical Indicators: When looking closely, behavioral and physical signs of addiction can be more revealing than the previously mentioned subtle and overlooked symptoms. Noticing a growing reliance on alcohol or medications is a major red flag, especially when someone is using medications beyond the prescribed doses. Watch for something called “doctor shopping,” where older adults visit multiple doctors for the same prescription. Physically, signs like unexplained falls, bruises, or other injuries may increase in occurrence due to impaired balance or coordination from substance use. These symptoms not only raise serious concerns for addiction, but they also create safety risks that can lead to long-term complications.
Because these symptoms are often mistaken for normal signs of aging or age-related medical conditions, detecting addiction can be challenging. This problem makes early intervention more difficult and increases the risk of serious consequences. Let’s take a look at these health risks.
Health Risks of Substance Abuse in Older Adults
The risks of substance use disorder are numerous. For older adults, some of these risks are heightened due to age and other age-related conditions. The following are some of the more common health risks associated with addiction and aging.
- Falls and injuries (fractures, bruises, lacerations).
- Dementia-like symptoms and major cognitive decline.
- Dangerous interactions between medications and overdoses.
- Worsening of chronic illnesses (diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease).
Substance abuse is known to accelerate both the physical and mental decline in older adults, which intensifies age-related health issues and increases the risk for hospitalization, isolation, and loss of independence. The need to recognize and address addiction falls upon family and caregivers who play a leading role in recognizing addiction and seeking help.
The Role of Family and Caregivers
As loved ones age, family members and caregivers play a very important role in identifying and addressing substance use disorder in older adults. Approaching the issue with empathy is essential, rather than judgment. You can express concern and encourage them to seek help, creating a safe space for open and honest dialogue.
Families should educate themselves about substance use disorder, and more specifically, in aging adults, to better understand the impacts and treatment options. Caregivers can provide practical help by monitoring medication, ensuring they are being taken correctly, and accompanying loved ones to appointments. Emotional support is equally important and is as simple as checking in regularly or encouraging treatment at a residential addiction rehab center if necessary. After treatment, family and caregivers can create a safe and structured environment to support their loved one’s sobriety and encourage a stronger sense of well-being.
With empathy, education, and consistent involvement, families and caregivers can make a big difference in their aging loved one’s overall well-being. Once a problem has been identified and addressed, the next step is treatment. Let’s take a look at the options.
Recovery Options for Older Adults
Because no two addiction experiences are the same, many programs will be tailored to individual needs. For aging adults, this might mean methods of therapy that are age-sensitive or finding peer groups that are made up of folks close in age. It’s important to look for programs that can treat co-occurring conditions and, at the same time, meet the mental and physical needs of the individual. The following types of programs may offer senior-specific programs, which are crucial to address accessibility and age-related issues, such as grief or chronic pain.
- Residential Programs: These centers offer 24/7 care for people who have moderate to severe addiction. Looking for a facility that offers treatment for senior issues is ideal for the older adult experiencing substance abuse disorder, providing constant support and care. For instance, if you’re living in Cache Valley, look for a Logan residential addiction rehab center that can customize a plan for your aging loved one.
- Outpatient Programs: Outpatient programs are a suitable option for aging adults with substance abuse disorder, especially if their condition is mild to moderate and they have a stable and supportive home environment. This allows them to receive care while maintaining their independence.
- Support Groups: If you are fortunate enough to catch substance abuse in the early stages, support groups may be enough to pull someone out of the cycle of dependency. Talk with local healthcare providers or contact a residential rehab center that may be able to point you in the direction of community resources, such as peer support groups.
Choosing the right path to recovery is as unique as each individual. The important part is getting on the path in the first place. With the right support, aging adults can find hope, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose at any stage of life.
Raising Awareness, Offering Hope
Substance use disorder in older adults has been a hidden but growing challenge, yet with awareness, empathy, and action, recovery is within reach for the seniors in our lives. By recognizing the unique risks and subtle signs of addiction, families and caregivers can intervene early, guiding loved ones toward tailored treatment options to restore health and independence. Whether through residential programs, outpatient care, or support groups, hope exists for aging adults to reclaim their golden years. Start by educating yourself, having an honest and empathetic conversation, and exploring the resources in your community to get your loved one the care they deserve.
