Older Adults National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA

WHO-WMH data from 17 countries (India excluded) show that estimated lifetime prevalence and projected lifetime risk at age 75 of any anxiety disorder is as high as that of any mood disorder in many countries. Although the prevalence/risk rates of anxiety disorders varied widely (31% in the US to 4.8% in China), older than younger adults had lower prevalence rates in all counties, except Italy and China where no age group difference was found5. A study of anxiety among older adults in seven countries (China, India, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico and Peru) also found that urban-dwelling older adults were nearly three times more likely than their rural counterparts to experience anxiety. These age- and gender-standardized prevalence rates also varied greatly across countries, ranging from 0.1 per cent in rural China to 9.6 per cent in urban Peru6.

Signs of Drug or Alcohol Abuse in the Elderly Population

For instance, an older adult may accidentally double their dose of a prescription after forgetting that they have already taken their medication. See our open data portal, or reach out to us at open- to connect with an expert on aging in America.

• These changes create stress, and people may abuse drugs and alcohol to cope with that stress.
• According to NIDA, older adults are more likely than younger adults to experience mood disorders.
• More research should be done to evaluate the efficacy of such therapeutic modalities specifically in older adults.
• Some specific considerations may help older adults and their loved ones find the right care.
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Box 2 Potential indicators of substance misuse and abuse.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported in 2019 that rates of substance use had climbed in adults between 50 and 64 years old and in those 65 years and older in the previous decade. It’s been called the “invisible epidemic.”  But knowing what to look out for can help you protect yourself or a loved one. At present, SUD treatment for older adults is based on clinical experience and on studies conducted in younger populations, as most clinical trials for SUD tend to exclude older adults (Blanco et al., 2008; Blanco et al., 2015; Okuda et al., 2010). An important future direction will be to expand the evidence-base Sober living house for the treatment of older adults. This could include new clinical trials with less restrictive inclusion criteria, use of electronic medical records and observational studies, and simulations, as well as a combination of all these approaches (Blanco et al., 2017).

Recovery from Substance Use and Mental Health Problems Among Adults in the United States

In general, pharmacologic and psychotherapeutic treatments developed for SUDs in the general population have been shown to be safe and effective in older adults, with psychotherapeutic interventions being of particular use. In the treatment of AUD, naltrexone has consistently been shown to be highly effective for older adults, often superior to its effectiveness in younger populations 28. On the other hand, disulfiram should generally be avoided in older adults due to its contraindications with cerebrovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, etc., that are more common in older adults 29.

• Although group treatment can reduce isolation and shame related to substance use and is often the preferred method of providing substance abuse treatment, the lack of elder-specific treatment available in the community113 may actually enhance feelings of isolation and shame in a group context.
• Of course, slurred speech, smelling of alcohol, and change in physical appearance are all signs that a person needs help and treatment.
• Because traditional substance use treatment programs have provided services to few older adults, sample size issues have been a barrier to studying treatment outcomes for older adults who meet criteria for abuse/dependence.
• Older adults and their loved ones might start by looking for Medicare-accepting services.

Faith-Based Addiction Treatment

In the United States, the proportion of older adults has been increasing as advances in healthcare, particularly preventative medicine, have fueled longevity. This increase is primarily driven by the baby boomer generation, those born between 1946 and 1965, who have had higher rates of substance use at each stage of life compared to previous generations 1. These increased rates are due to shifting attitudes toward substance use during their upbringing and increased life expectancy 1. It is estimated that the number of geriatric persons, adults aged 65 or older, in the United States will be approximately 72.1 million by 2030 2. As larger cohorts of adults continue to age, increasing concern regarding the unique healthcare needs of the geriatric population must be addressed.

Individuals ages 65 and older have lower odds of perceived treatment need than younger individuals, and often report a lack of readiness to stop using substances as one of their primary reasons to not seek treatment (Choi et al., 2014). As a result, older adults are more likely to be referred to SUD treatment from other sources such as community social service providers than from healthcare providers (Sahker et al., 2015). This kind of treatment centre would put a heavy focus on PTSD therapy to help recovering addicted veterans overcome their traumas. Other treatment plans for elderly addicts may include specific pain management for health conditions or health problems they are facing due to their older age. Substance abuse among substance abuse in older adults the elderly (adults over the age of 65), particularly of alcohol and prescription drugs, is one of the fastest-growing health problems in the United States.

Treatment Challenges For Older Adults With Substance Use Disorders

Several screening tools have been adapted or validated for use in older adults, particularly for AUD, and are described in Table 2. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) single-item screener is a single question used to screen for unhealthy alcohol use that has been validated in the primary care setting. It asks patients how many times in the past year they have had five (for men) or four (for women) or more drinks in a day 12. However, it is important to note that the NIAAA also recommends that adults age 65 or older limit their alcohol consumption to 1 standard drink per day or 7 standard drinks per week with no more than 3 drinks per occasion 13. As substance use among older adults continues to rise, effective screening and diagnosis will become increasingly critical.