Nearly 1 million adults ages 65 and older live with a substance use dysfunction, corresponding to dependancy to prescription medicines, nicotine or alcohol, in response to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

“It’s a cause of concern because our bodies and minds become more fragile with age,” says Nancy Irwin, Psy.D., a Los Angeles-based licensed scientific psychologist at Seasons in Malibu, a restoration heart in California. “Reflexes are slower and balance is more challenging, so accidents, slips and falls are more common.”

Alcohol Dependence

Alcohol is probably the most generally used drug amongst these 65 and older. About 65% of individuals in that age group report partaking in high-risk ingesting, in response to NIDA. Specifically, greater than a tenth of adults in that group say they binge drink, which implies consuming at the very least 5 drinks throughout a interval of about two hours for males and least 4 drinks in that very same timeframe for girls.

“None of us can drink like we did in our 20s,” says Dr. Irwin. “Alcoholism is on a continuum, and many who have been able to drink socially during their youth and middle years find their consumption levels rise [as they age],” for causes just like the lack of a accomplice or struggling to regulate to an empty nest.

Alcohol may be harmful when blended with sure prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines. What’s extra, alcohol use dysfunction can result in continual well being points, corresponding to hypertension, congestive coronary heart failure, liver issues, reminiscence points and temper issues.

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Mismanaged Medications

Older adults are usually prescribed extra medicines than youthful individuals, which may current a wide range of issues. “Seniors have a higher chance of mixing, overusing or abusing their medication,” says Chaye McIntosh, the New Jersey-based scientific director of outpatient companies at ChoicePoint, which gives dependancy remedy applications. “This [tendency] could be due to age-associated dementia, lack of proper care or personal neglect.” Not to say, she says, some older adults may mix their remedy with alcohol, “which can enhance their effects and pave the way for addiction.”

Misusing prescription remedy can result in critical issues. According to a 2019 examine together with sufferers over age 50, greater than 25% of those that misused prescription opioids or benzodiazepines skilled suicidal ideation, or needs to die. Only 2% of those that didn’t use such medicine skilled suicidal ideation.

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