The Aging Population of Addicts

By Meghan Vivo

Adolescents and middle-age adults aren’t the only ones who experiment with and become dependent on drugs and alcohol. Although no one wants to admit that grandma is addicted to prescription pain pills or that grandpa has a drinking problem, an increasing number of older adults are struggling with addiction – often in silence.

According to reports by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), baby boomers are increasingly in need of treatment for addiction. In 2005, 184,400 Americans who were admitted to drug treatment programs (roughly 10 percent of the total) were over 50, as compared to 143,000 (or 8 percent of the total) in 2001. By 2020, SAMHSA anticipates that 4.4 million older adults will be addicted to drugs or alcohol, compared to 1.7 million in 2001.

Addiction Has No Age Limit

Addiction is a disease that knows no age limits, but it does look slightly different in the elderly than in other populations. Older adults turn to drugs and alcohol for slightly different reasons than younger people. In many cases, social drinking has gotten out of hand, they are trying to cope with retirement, aging, loneliness, boredom, or the loss of a spouse or loved one, or they may have struggled with addiction for decades without seeking treatment.

It may be difficult to identify the warning signs of a drinking or drug problem in the elderly because they often live alone and don’t drive as much, which puts them at less risk for drunk driving arrests. Older adults themselves may not recognize the seriousness of their problem since many are retired and don’t have work-related consequences for their drinking or drug use.

The following are some of the signs of addiction in older adults:

• Drinking alone or in secret
• A ritual of drinking before, with or after dinner.
• A loss of interest in hobbies or pleasurable activities
• Drinking in spite of warning labels on prescription drugs 
• Slurred speech, empty liquor and beer bottles, or the smell of alcohol on breath
• A change in personal appearance
• Chronic and unsupported health complaints
• Hostility or depression
• Memory loss and confusion

In addition to different causes and warning signs, addiction affects older adults a bit differently than other populations. Older adults tend to use different substances than younger generations – most commonly prescription medications and alcohol – and also have different attitudes toward treatment. Because they grew up believing that it is inappropriate to air their problems in public, older adults are more likely to hide their addiction and resist treatment.

More to Lose, More to Gain

Some families try to control their loved one’s behavior by “babysitting” them, making excuses for them, or taking on their roles and responsibilities. Some don’t want to acknowledge that a beloved parent or grandparent could need treatment so they deny that a problem exists. Others may feel that it is best to let grandma or grandpa abuse drugs or alcohol out of “respect” for their privacy or because they only have a few more years to “live it up.” Of course, none of these responses addresses the problem.

Even though older adults experience addiction a bit differently, they still have a lot to lose. Some are celebrating 40 or 50 years of marriage or are just beginning to discover life’s deeper meaning, and many have children and grandchildren who will refuse to see them until they get sober. Most older adults want to leave a positive legacy for their grandchildren and don’t want to be remembered as a drunk or drug addict.

Seniors who suffer from addiction may also experience severe health consequences. They tend to age more quickly when drinking or using drugs, and they lose their mental clarity and their ability to live independently years earlier than other people their age.

The good news is that older adults also have a lot to gain from addiction treatment. Although they may be more difficult to lure into treatment, older adults tend to be highly motivated and successful once they are in a program. And as more drug rehab programs understand the special needs of older adult addicts, there is no longer any excuse to look the other way when a parent or grandparent is suffering.

Preserving the Golden Years

Although you can’t force someone into recovery, there are steps you can take to motivate them to make the choice on their own. Plan to talk to your loved one, either one-on-one or with a small group, when they are sober and in a place with few distractions. Because older adults may feel shame or embarrassment around their addiction, approach them with a loving and gentle tone, bringing up specific events that have caused you concern. Have information ready about local addiction treatment programs and make the call together.

The best addiction treatment program for older adults is one that understands their unique needs. Treating the elderly often requires more intensive medical support, careful detox protocols, and treatment of co-occurring psychological issues like loss, depression and isolation. SAMHSA estimates that one in four older adults has a significant mental disorder, which will require concurrent treatment with the substance abuse disorder.

Since seniors may initially be more resistant to treatment, and may have adopted long-time habits that are difficult to change, the drug rehab program must be prepared to get the addict committed to getting well. Family members should be involved in treatment so that the patient has a strong support network in place when they leave the facility.

Because of these special needs, some drug rehab programs offer specialized treatment tracks for older adults. Sober Living by the Sea, one of the nation’s largest networks of residential substance abuse treatment programs, offers a “Reflections” program in Newport Beach, California, that addresses the particular needs of older adults. The staff is comprised of addiction experts who have years of experience dealing with the unique outlooks, emotions, values, life experiences and needs of older adults. Living in a community with other adults struggling with addiction, the patients at Sober Living enjoy a positive, supportive environment as they learn to live drug-free.

Your parents and grandparents have spent years tending to your needs. Don’t stand by and watch them deteriorate or let your children grow up without a special relationship with their grandparents. Rather than hide from the problem, seize your chance to “be the adult” and get your parent or loved one the help they need.