29 Sep Why Older Adults are Using Drugs to Excess and How We Can Help Them
Most news stories tend to focus on how drugs and the opioid epidemic are impacting people in their teens and early adulthood. However, I can tell you from personal experience, that there are a lot of older adults who are also abusing drugs alcohol at record rates. This is borne out at our family’s drug treatment program which I founded and run in San Diego, California.
You may be surprised to hear that the rates of opioid overdose in the U.S. have increased the most among people ages 65 and up (from 2021 to 2022) and that older adults have seen the greatest increase in cannabis use in Canada. One thing you also may not realize is that older adults have the highest recovery rates of all age groups.
Cannabis Use in Older Adults is Very High
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, older adults are the demographic that has seen the highest increase in the use of cannabis products in Canada in recent years. Edibles, like candies and baked goods are very popular with this demographic.
While the danger of cannabis isn’t as acute as that of opioids or even alcohol, emergency room visits for marijuana side effects are way up in the elderly population. Symptoms that lead to an emergency room visit include hallucinations; anxiety or panic attacks; rapid heartbeat; chest pain; nausea; and vomiting. Often, being on multiple medications can exacerbate these side effects
The symptoms of aging that are driving the cannabis use are worth analyzing, and they are similar to the symptoms that contribute to opioid and alcohol abuse: pain management, isolation, and cognitive impairment. Also, many adults are using cannabis for sleep issues.
Isolation, Pain, and Cognitive Impairment Combine Make Older Adults Vulnerable Isolation
Many older individuals may feel disconnected from family, friends, or society, especially after retirement or the loss of loved ones. In these situations, alcohol and drugs can be used to alleviate feelings of sadness or anxiety. Without regular social interactions, it’s easier to fall into unhealthy habits, as there may be fewer external checks or support systems to help them recognize or address the problem.
Chronic Pain and Chronic Conditions
Chronic pain and chronic conditions often lead older adults to use alcohol or drugs more frequently as a way to manage persistent discomfort. Conditions like arthritis, back pain, or other degenerative diseases can make everyday life challenging, prompting people to seek relief through substances. Additionally, older adults may already be on multiple prescription medications for their health issues, increasing the risk of dependency or misuse. Alcohol or over-the-counter drugs may be used to enhance the effect of painkillers, which can inadvertently lead to addiction and excessive use. Mixing alcohol with painkillers is a very dangerous combination that should be avoided.
Cognitive Impairment
Memory issues and confusion may cause them to forget whether they’ve taken their medication, leading to unintentional overdoses or mixing substances. Impaired judgment can also make it difficult for seniors to recognize when they’re overusing substances. Additionally, cognitive decline can worsen feelings of depression, anxiety, or isolation, prompting self-medication through alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism. This combination of factors heightens the risk of dependency and misuse among older adults with cognitive impairments.
How to Reach Older Adults Who Are Abusing Drugs
It can be difficult for a person of any age to face and acknowledge an addiction, but an elderly person may really feel hopeless without their drug of choice to get by. As such, their response might be defensive, and angry. Take steps to create a supportive environment to help the elderly adult feel that they are being supported and have your concern rather than attacked for their bad behavior.
It can be helpful to prepare a list of the medications they are on, and a list of doctors they are seeing (or if you can get the support of one of their doctors, that is a great step as well).
- Show Concern, Not Judgment: Express your worry for their well-being rather than focusing on criticism.
- Be Empathetic: Acknowledge that aging can be difficult and that using substances might be a coping mechanism.
- Focus on Health: Frame the conversation around their overall health and quality of life.
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage them to share their perspective, rather than accusing or confronting them.
- Have help Options Ready if They are Willing: If the older adult agrees to seek help for their drug or alcohol use, ensure a seamless transition by having the names and numbers of treatment resources ready to go.
If you have the means to hire an interventionist to help you organize the confrontation, a trained professional will often have a great success rate at breaking through denial and getting a commitment to treatment.
Where to Get Help for an Older Adult Who Needs Addiction Treatment
Treatment for older adults should be sought at a provider that understands the unique needs of elderly people related to physical health, mental acuity, and family structure. Issues that will be crucial for elderly patients in a treatment center will be the management of medication, dealing with chronic pain, and helping the elderly person rediscover purpose and meaning in life.
If you know of an elderly person and who can get to the San Diego area for treatment, our treatment center Present Moments Recovery has been successfully helping adults get sober and stay that way for many years. You can find out more by visiting www.presentmomentsrecovery.com/.
About the Author:
Mark Gladden
Mark is a U.S. Veteran-in-recovery who has been serving the recovery community of San Diego for a decade as Founder and CEO of Present Moments Recovery, which is a San Diego drug rehab program. We care for adults for up to 1 year in our residential program. Present Moments Recovery can be reached at (619) 367-4767.
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Last Updated on September 30, 2024 by Marie Benz MD FAAD