Aging Americans Experiencing Greater Rates Of Addiction

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 82 million Americans are aged 60 or older as of 2024, a number that continues to grow as baby boomers age into their seventies and eighties.

An estimated 4.4 million adults aged 65 and older had a substance use disorder in the past year, per the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. This figure has steadily increased as the older adult population grows as well.

Older adults are already subject to potentially harmful and even fatal health conditions, and substance use disorder can significantly increase these risks.

Addiction among older adults is often overlooked, but receiving treatment as early as possible for this chronic health condition is often essential to maintaining health while aging.

Identifying SUDs In Older Adults

Addiction is a disease and a serious medical condition that should be treated quickly to avoid long-term mental or physical side effects.

Substance use disorder occurs when someone is unable to stop consuming drugs or alcohol on their own, despite any negative consequences.

They may experience compulsions to use substances or withdrawal symptoms after stopping use.

Many of the common symptoms of substance use disorder that younger adults experience are the same among older adults.

Symptoms of addiction may include:

• loss of interest in hobbies or activities
• changes in appetite
• sudden weight loss or gain
• depression, irritability, and other mood shifts
• withdrawal from friends and loved ones
• changes in hygiene or personal appearance
• financial instability or money problems
• changes in sleep patterns

Do Substances Affect Older Adults Differently?

Few studies have been done on the effects of substance use disorder among older adults, but it is known that they often have a more difficult time metabolizing drugs and alcohol.

As we age, we face changes that can include a decline in the cardiovascular system, motor system, and cognitive functions. All of these can be impacted severely by drug or alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol use disorder, for example, can lead to liver damage, strokes, seizures, and rapid cognitive decline, and many older Americans are already at risk for experiencing these health problems.

Decreased motor function while under the influence of drugs or alcohol may also lead to more falls and accidents, which can have more serious implications for older adults.

Reasons For Drug And Alcohol Addiction Among Aging Adults

While adolescents and young adults often use substances for partying, older adults typically use drugs and alcohol for different purposes.

Many older Americans use substances as self-medication for chronic physical pain or emotional stress.

Other reasons for substance use among older adults include:

• loss of a spouse and other loved ones
• difficulty sleeping
• boredom after retirement
• financial stress
• social isolation and loneliness
• history of substance use disorder
• comorbid mental illnesses
• reduced physical mobility

Accidental misuse is a significant concern among older adults, who may manage multiple medications simultaneously. Cognitive decline, vision problems, and complex dosing schedules can contribute to unintentional overuse. Pill organizers, caregiver oversight, and regular medication reviews with a pharmacist or physician can help reduce this risk.

Substances Commonly Misused By Older Adults

Although aging adults receive addiction treatment for a wide variety of substances, there are a couple that are particularly common among this age group.

Alcohol Use Disorder And Aging Adults

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most pervasive type of substance use disorder found in older adults.

Research has consistently found high rates of risky drinking among older adults. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported that a significant proportion of adults over 65 engage in drinking patterns that exceed recommended guidelines.

This then puts them at an elevated risk for alcohol-related health complications, including interactions with common medications that this population takes for physical or mental health conditions.

Alcohol use disorder also comes with increased risks for diabetes, heart failure, memory problems, liver failure, and more.

Prescription Medication Misuse Among Older Americans

Most older Americans take at least one prescription medication, and half take five or more prescription drugs and supplements.

Opioids and benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and more, but these drugs come with a high potential for misuse.

Benzodiazepines are of particular concern for older adults. They appear on the American Geriatrics Society’s Beers Criteria as medications potentially inappropriate for this population due to increased risks of falls, fractures, cognitive impairment, and motor vehicle accidents. Despite this, they remain commonly prescribed for older adults with anxiety and insomnia.

The opioid crisis has increasingly affected older adults. CDC data shows that overdose death rates among adults aged 65 and older more than tripled between 2019 and 2022, fueled largely by illicitly manufactured fentanyl contaminating the drug supply.

Additionally, higher rates of OUDs have led to higher rates of heroin use among older adults, since heroin is sometimes cheaper and easier to obtain than prescription drugs.

Family members and caregivers of older adults with OUD should be aware that naloxone (Narcan) is available without a prescription at most pharmacies nationwide and can reverse an opioid overdose.

Addiction Treatment Methods For Aging Adults

The first step in treating substance use disorder in older adults is recognizing when a problem has begun, which can happen through addiction screenings during routine checkups.

Concerned family members can encourage their older loved ones to make and keep these doctor appointments.

Once an SUD is identified, existing behavioral health treatment options can help older adults, and specific approaches can be integrated for higher rates of success.

This may include:

• longer treatment durations
• management of co-occurring chronic pain or mental health conditions
• building senior support networks
• specialized training for treatment staff

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an often underutilized method among older adults, but many stand to benefit from this method when used in conjunction with behavioral therapy.

Once in treatment, many older adults do well and are able to achieve lasting recovery.

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Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff