My late father suffered with alcohol addiction throughout his life, but it became a significant issue when he and my mom divorced after 40 years of marriage. My mom always tried to curtail his drinking and his smoking habits. The following article was helpful to me regarding this issue of alcoholism which runs in my family.
Senior Citizens and Substance Abuse
by Kayla Smith, Editorial Director for the Addiction Center, February 16, 2016
Elderly Abuse Statistics
“Seventeen percent of people in the United States over 65 years old have abused prescription medications, according to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
Approximately 30 percent of adults over 65 are given some type of prescription medicine, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, men and women aged 65 or older should consume no more than 1 drink daily and a maximum of 2 drinks on any occasion.
Drug and alcohol abuse among the elderly is a rapidly growing health problem in the United States.
Addiction among people 65 and up is often underestimated and underdiagnosed, which can prevent them from getting the help they need.
According to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, substance abuse among senior citizens can be classified into two general forms: the “hardy survivor,” or those who have been abusing substances for many years and have reached 65, and the “late onset” group, which is those who form addictions later in life.
Regardless of how old you are or when your addiction started, there are treatment options available to help you get back on a healthy path.
Causes of Addiction in the Elderly
There are several things that could contribute to someone turning to substance abuse later in life. These could be health-related issues or life-changing events that take an emotional toll. These events may provoke drug-abusing behavior that can result in a full-scale addiction.
Potential triggers for drug or alcohol addiction in the elderly are:
- Retirement
- Death of a family member, spouse, pet or close friend
- Loss of income or financial strains
- Relocation or placement in a nursing home
- Trouble sleeping
- Family conflict
- Mental or physical health decline (depression, memory loss, major surgeries, etc.)”
Read more on the dangers, challenges in identification, symptoms and treatment of elderly addiction