Substance Abuse Among The Elderly

The purpose of this paper is to determine the level of substance abuse in the elderly community. There is concern that as the population ages in the United States, there will be a significant increase in the number of older adults being treated for substance abuse problems. This paper seeks to understand the issues and concerns that are consequently involved with substance abuse among the elderly.

The issue of substance misuse and abuse among the elderly population is complex. The elderly rarely use alcohol or drugs to get high rather drug or alcohol use that begins after age 60 appears fundamentally different (Culberson & Ziska 2008). The elderly sometimes turn to alcohol and drugs to alleviate the physical and psychological pain from the onslaught of medical and psychiatric illness, the loss of loved ones or social isolation (Culberson & Ziska 2008). Elderly patients have a combination of and functional and social habits that support substance use. As adults age, they are often unable to do the social things they have been accustomed to. This is when many elderly persons begin to display problems doing the tasks of daily life. The option of taking a pill with the promise that it will aid in living independently is often a viable option for the elderly. This desire to remain independent is an important part in the complex treatment plan that is established when it comes to assisting an elderly patient who is abusing his or her medication.

Substance use disorder (SUD) occurs regardless of age, ethnicity or gender. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) organizes substance use disorders into substance abuse and substance dependence. Substance abuse is a maladaptive pattern leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period. If the abuse pattern and dependency are not addressed, it can cause a various spectrum of dysfunction in physical, psychological and social. Per impairment, the individual is enable to participate a meaningful occupation which eventually decreases one’s quality of living (QOL). Because having QOL and ADL participation are very

The Unites States is at an epidemic status with substance use disorder patients. There are many reasons to why we all should be concerned as a nation; however, this very problem is an essential topic globally. 230 million drug users are found worldwide and 19.9 million of those are Americans that have used illicit drugs in the year 2007 alone (as cited in Michael’s House, n.d); Furthermore, America makes up 4 percent of the global population and our nation manages to occupy two-third of the illegal drug use worldwide (as cited in Buggle, 2013).

Substance abuse is quite common in the elderly, and there are multiple reasons why. One reason is polypharmacy. This could be because they need to be on those medications or because of a underlying factor that ageism is in the healthcare system. This is more common that people think. With the shortage of staff, human error, miss diagnosing, or lack of knowledge; piling medications on top of one another without taking the time to see if they are really needed, or if they have any interaction when placed together polypharmacy tends to be one of the reasons the elderly abuse drugs unknowingly. They believe the doctors know best and do as told. Another way for polypharmacy to be a reason, is if the elder is having impairments with vision or cognitive

The older population, according the US Census Bureau (2015) reports, individuals ages 65 and older make up 8.5% of the global population. In other words, the older population now equals 617 million, and subsequently will experience an expected rise within the next ten years, resulting in an increase of roughly 236 million people aged 65 and older throughout the world. Therefore, as our elderly population increases, so will the substance use epidemic. Currently the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2016) states, an estimated 8 million alcoholics are seniors, and often to referred as the invisible “silent epidemic.” With numbers such as, 15% >65 at risk for alcohol dependency, this worldwide crisis needs to be irradiated.

Recreational drugs are a relevant part of modern culture and society. Alcohol is by far the most common in America. With majority of the country claiming to drink, alcohol abuse occurs often. The continual use of alcohol has led to the end of careers and personal relationships, domestic abuse, billions of dollars in healthcare and medical expenses, and the death of millions. Although the effects of alcohol are destructive, the causes such as social pressure and coping with pain are just as detrimental to the lives of many Americans.

The 2009 SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed dramatic increases in illicit drug use in older adults (Bogunovic, 2012). Alcohol was the most

The levels of substance abuse among older adults can be conceptually define as individuals, between the ages of 50 and older, excessive misuse of a drug. The abuse of alcohol and other drugs in the older adult population, which includes the aging “baby boomers,” is escalating (Ligon, 2013). The use of drugs can result in medical and psychiatric diseases influenced by lifestyle choices and behaviors (Blow & Barry, 2014, p. 53). The abuse of medications are common among older adults because they have more chronic medical illnesses and are prescribed more medications. However, according to the National Survey on Drug use and Health (as cited in Blow & Barry, 2014), 1.8 percent of adults ages 50 and older used illicit drugs.

I was surprised to hear that substance abuse is a growing epidemic among our elderly because when I think of the elderly I don’t think falling over on the floor drunk or sitting at a bar knocking drinks back. It really is an “invisible epidemic”. It was shocking to hear that because of insufficient knowledge, health care providers often overlook substance abuse among older adults and fail to diagnose them correctly. “Symptoms of substance abuse in older individuals sometimes mimic symptoms of other medical and behavioral disorders common among this population, such as diabetes, dementia, and depression.

This Paper examines the substance abuse risk factors, mental changes, treatment goals, devastating effects of substance abuse on the individuals abusing many drugs and prescription drugs are becoming an epidemic as well with continued abuse. Substance abuse damages an individual’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing. The substance abuse can cause long-term, dysfunctions and complications. The most abused drug in the United States is Marijuana, and that individuals will turn to crime to get the substances they want to support their habits of substance abuse. This paper also examines the promotion of wellbeing and what can be done to promote the wellbeing and stop substance abuse.

However, as the population of older adults continue to grow the use of drugs and alcohol is being reexamined. According to Sorocco and Ferrell, “A number of factors contribute to this invisibility. First, alcohol problems among older adults are difficult to diagnose. Many symptoms of alcohol problems mimic those of other disorders common among this age groups, such as depression and dementia. Second, alcohol use problems are sometimes overlooked because of stereotypes and biases held by health practitioners.

One negative behavior detrimental to aging adults is substance abuse. Substance abuse is the dependence on addictive substance ranging from alcohol to drugs, drugs are either be medically prescribed, illicit or recreational drugs. Most aging adults do not consider drinking a one or two bottles of wine every day as alcohol abuse but they often forget that their body have grown weaker due to age therefore, over consumption of alcohol is bad. Some aging adults also binge drink or believe that you cannot have a drinking problem at a certain age which is wrong. Older patients are likely to be prescribed long term and multiple prescription which can lead to unintentional misuse because of the difficult to keep track of the number pills and different

Alcohol use is one of the largest categories for substance abuse problems in older adults. Alcohol consumption is related to high morbidity and mortality in middle-aged adults. If heavy drinking habits do not change, problems can persist or worsen in older adulthood. Increased long-term harm of older adults to the effects of alcohol increases with loneliness and with the combination of other drugs. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recommends that alcohol consumption for adults age 65 and older be limited to 1 standard drink per day. NIAAA also recommends no more than 3 drinks in one occasion. 19% of late middle-aged persons are “at risk” drinkers. The tool used for this study was the Short Michigan Alcoholism

Substance abuse on older adults has much graver consequences to their well-being due to age-related health problems (Kalapatapu & Sullivan, 2010) and physiological changes such as: