Older Adults Face New Health Risks

High rates of lifetime drug use among the baby boom generation (persons born between 1946 and 1964), combined with the large size of that cohort, suggest that the number of older adults using drugs will increase in the next two decades. It has been predicted that by the year 2020, the number of persons needing treatment for a substance use disorder will double among persons aged 50 or older as the baby boom generation moves into older adulthood. These changes have already begun, as indicated by recent increases in current illicit drug use among persons aged 50 to 59. Illicit drug use is associated with numerous health and social problems, and age-related physiological, psychological, and social changes make older adults more vulnerable to the detrimental effects of illicit drug use. In addition, many older adults use prescription and over-the-counter medications that could interact adversely with illicit drugs and may themselves have the potential for abuse. Because of the magnitude of these changes and their potential impact, it is increasingly important to understand and plan for the health care needs-including the substance use prevention and treatment needs-of this population.

Comparing the types of substances used in the past year, marijuana use was more common than nonmedical use of prescription-type drugs among males (4.2 vs. 2.3 percent, respectively), but among females, the rates of marijuana use and nonmedical use of prescription-type drugs were similar (1.7 and 1.9 percent). These findings generally held within the age groups, except that females aged 65 or older were more likely to report nonmedical prescription drug use than marijuana use, and males aged 65 or older were equally likely to report marijuana use and nonmedical use of prescription drugs.

Some of the differences found in past year substance use between the older age groups, particularly those 65 or older, and the younger age groups (i.e., those aged 50 to 54 and those aged 55 to 59) may reflect cohort differences, with the 65 or older age group consisting
exclusively of pre-baby-boomers (persons born before 1946), the 60 to 64 age group mixed between the oldest baby boomers and pre-baby-boomers, and the younger age groups consisting exclusively of baby boomers. As the baby boomers and subsequent cohorts continue to age, it is likely that the rate of drug use will increase for older age groups.

Substance abuse is seldom associated with individuals who are nearing or at retirement age. Nevertheless, the data show that there are currently 4 million affected individuals and help us predict the growth of this problem throughout the next decade. Reducing and treating drug use problems among the growing elderly population will require an integrated system of care that combines medical and behavioral health services to fully address the spectrum of problems that patients bring to the primary care setting. Health care providers-particularly those who specialize in treating this population-need to ensure that routine screening for these problems is part of their regular interactions with their patients. Similarly, substance abuse treatment and prevention program managers may wish to consider how they can effectively reach out to and engage older adults with appropriate information and therapeutic
modalities.

Manatee Glens offers specialized addiction services for adults over fifty including inpatient detox at Manatee Glens Hospital, residential care at Manatee Addictions Center and intensive outpatient services at Manatee Glens East.  For more information call 941-720-5281 to speak
with counselor Karen Berner.

Excerpted from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Office of Applied Studies. (December 29, 2009). The NSDUH Report: Illicit Drug Use among Older Adults. Rockville, MD.