INTRODUCTION

CAUSES

INTRODUCTION:
SYMPTOMS
According to the Prevention Tactics report,
“prescription drug abuse is present in 12 to TREATMENT
15% of elderly individuals who seek medical
attention. What’s more, a document from CONCLUSION
1 the  Johns Hopkins Medical School  notes that
the number of Americans over age 50 abusing
prescription drugs is projected to rise to 2.7
million in 2020 — a 190% increase from the
2001 figure of 910,000 (ANDERSON, 2014.)

Substance abuse, typically alcohol or drug-

related, is more prevalent among seniors than
SUBSTANCE
2

realized. According to the National Council on

Aging, the number of older adults with
ABUSE: A
substance abuse problems is expected to double
to five million by 2020. Because many don’t GROWING
HEALTH
associate substance abuse with the elderly, it’s
often overlooked and missed in medical check-
ups. Additionally, older adults are often
prescribed multiple prescriptions to be used
long-term. The National Institute on Drugs finds ISSUE
that substance abuse typically results from
someone suffering mental deficits or taking
LANGBAYAN,
another patient’s medication due to their ZASKHIA C.
inability to pay for their own (VitalRecord 2016)

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 SUBSTANCE ABUSE:

A GROWING HEALTH ISSUE

Aging could possibly lead to social and physical changes

that may increase vulnerability to substance misuse. Little is

known about the effects of drugs and alcohol on the aging

brain. However, older adults typically metabolize

substances more slowly, and their brains can be more

sensitive to drugs. One study suggests that people addicted

to cocaine in their youth may have an accelerated age-related

decline in temporal lobe gray matter and a smaller temporal

lobe compared to control groups who do not use cocaine.

This could make them more vulnerable to adverse

consequences of cocaine use as they age.

Older adults may be more likely to experience mood

disorders, lung and heart problems, or memory issues.

Drugs can worsen these conditions, exacerbating the

negative health consequences of substance use.

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Additionally, the effects of some drugs—like impaired

judgment, coordination, or reaction time—can result in

accidents, such as falls and motor vehicle crashes. These

sorts of injuries can pose a greater risk to health than in

younger adults and coincide with a possible longer recovery

time.

Chronic health conditions tend to develop as part of aging,

and older adults are often prescribed more medicines than

other age groups, leading to a higher rate of exposure to

potentially addictive medications. One study of 3,000 adults

aged 57-85 showed common mixing of prescription

medicines, nonprescription drugs, and dietary supplements.

More than 80% of participants used at least one prescription

medication daily, with nearly half using more than five

medications or supplements,putting at least 1 in 25 people in

this age group at risk for a major drug-drug interaction

Other risks could include accidental misuse of prescription

drugs, and possible worsening of existing mental health

issues. For example, a 2019 study of patients over the age of

50 noted that more than 25% who misuse prescription

opioids or benzodiazepines expressed suicidal ideation,

compared to 2% who do not use them, underscoring the

need for careful screening before prescribing these

medications (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020)

According to webMD, 2020, there are among people 50 and

up with substance abuse problems, men are more likely to

abuse alcohol. Women are more likely to abuse prescription

drugs. Someone who is abusing prescribed drugs will need

more medicine than they used to. Those with an alcohol

problem might start to drink alone, or be secretive about

drinking. Warning signs include blurred speech,

unexplained injuries and bruises, memory loss or confusion,

sleep problems, mood swings, anxiety or depression, loss of

interest in things they enjoyed, poor hygiene, and have less

contact with friends and family.

There are many behavioral therapies and medications have

been successful in treating substance use disorders in older

adults.

Little is known about the best models of care, but research

shows that older patients have better results with longer

durations of care. Ideal models include diagnosis and

management of other chronic conditions, re-building

support networks, improving access to medical services,

improved case management, and staff training in evidence-

based strategies for this age group.

Providers may confuse SUD (Substance Use Disorder)

symptoms with those of other chronic health conditions or

with natural, age-related changes. Research is needed to

develop targeted SUD screening methods for older adults.

Integrated models of care for those with coexisting medical

and psychiatric conditions are also needed. It is important to

note that once in treatment, people can respond well to care

(National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020)

In conclusion, substance abuse among elderly is a quiet

epidemic because it happens from other parts of the country

especifically in US having the most number of cases like

these. For me, this should not be taken for granted especially
those who misuse and are on the depths of drug addiction.

As a health care provider awareness is a must and education

is vital in order to provide prevention and have a better

intervention to those who already had the issue on them.

REFERENCES:
VITAL RECORD (2016, Feb 11) 10 COMMON ELDERLY HEALTH ISSUES retrieved from
https://vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/10-common-elderly-health-issues/
Nazario (2020, June 10) Substance Abuse in Older Adults retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/mental-
health/addiction/ss/slideshow-substance-abuse-older-people
National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020, July) The scope of substance use in older adults retrieved from
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/substance-use-in-older-adults-drugfacts
Anderson (2014, January 22) The Quiet Epidemic of Senior Drug Abuse retrieved from
https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/1-22-2014-quiet-epidemic-senior-drug-abuse
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