Elderly Substance Abuse Prevention Information

Substance abuse occurs when an individual becomes dependent on drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other chemicals which can be detrimental to their physical, emotional and mental health. People abuse these substances for a variety of reasons and the effects can be seen throughout the country in our hospitals and even in the prison systems, as substance abuse has been long been a contributing factor to crime. Coming up with effective treatment plans for the prevention of substance abuse has always been difficult, especially in the elderly population where prescription medication tends to be the substance most abused and often goes unnoticed.

Prescription Abuse

• Many drug abusers are not addicted to illegal substances but to prescription medications. This often happens after an injury in which the individual received a prescription for pain medication. This is becoming more and more common in elderly patients who are at a higher risk for injury and falls and are also more likely to take the medication incorrectly by not following or misreading the instructions. Although this type of abuse is common, it often goes unnoticed by family members.

Alcohol Abuse

• Alcohol abuse by senior citizens is also becoming more common and often goes undiagnosed, unreported and even ignored. There are several reasons for this. Elderly individuals who no longer drive as much are less likely to be involved in a traffic accident or stopped for driving under the influence. Since many are also retired, there is no chance that alcohol abuse will cause them to lose a job or their career. Feelings of depression brought on by grief, loss of a spouse, social isolation and changes in physical health often causes individuals to start drinking later in life.

Preventing Alcohol Abuse

• It is important to realize that elderly individuals need emotional support. Many times, family members and even physicians will just concentrate on the physical issues faced by the elderly. It is always important for senior citizens to maintain a sense of belonging and to remain active as a member of their community, even after they retire. Becoming involved with organizations which provide socialization, such as churches and senior citizen centers, can help to prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation which often can lead to alcohol abuse. It is also recommended for individuals who have experienced the loss of a spouse to join a support group for widows and widowers or to attend grief counseling.

Prevention of Prescripton Abuse

• Many organizations are currently working to help prevent prescription abuse in the elderly population such as The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is working on a national public education campaign. Education is the key to stopping this type of abuse by providing family members, physicians and other health care workers with tips on recognizing and diagnosing the problem before it becomes severe.

Prevention is the Key

• As with many diseases and conditions, the key to treating substance abuse it to prevent it in the first place. Studies have shown this can be accomplished by focusing on the underlying reasons that lead to the abuse. Treating conditions such as depression, loneliness and social isolation can aid in the prevention of alcohol abuse, while finding alternatives to traditional medication and assisting the elderly with taking these medications when prescribed can help cut down on prescription abuse.