Drug and Alcohol Treatment for Seniors

What’s the fastest growing demographic in terms of alcohol and drug addiction? Surprisingly, senior citizens represent one of the most troubling problems facing addiction treatment professionals today. The combination of loneliness and access to prescription medications has created a worrisome situation among older men and women who are seeing their failing health put at even greater risk by addiction to drugs and alcohol.

What are the Most Common Addictions for Seniors?

Although seniors may become addicted to any number of drugs, there are a number of substances that make up the lion’s share of these cases, including:

Vicodin addiction
OxyContin addiction
Alcoholism
Marijuana addiction

What complicates all of these addictions is that older individuals tend to be in a more frail state of health. Large amounts of drugs or alcohol will only serve to worsen an individual’s health and put them at risk for more serious health issues, including: heart failure, liver failure and stroke.

Why do Seniors need Drug and Alcohol Treatment?

There are a number of reason behind the growing rate of senior citizens living with addiction. Chief among them is that older people are living longer thanks to a number of advances in modern medicine. These advances mean that seniors have ready access to a number of different prescription medications. Given the right (poor) emotional state, this can lead many to abuse their prescribed medications, which in turn may lead to addiction.

The Importance of Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Seniors

Sadly, we tend to neglect our senior citizens when we should be celebrating them instead. As a result, many live alone in isolation, even though they have younger family members in the area. As everyone knows, loneliness and isolation often lead to substance abuse and addiction, as the individual will attempt to mask their emotional pain with the temporary euphoria provided by these substances.

Senior drug and alcohol treatment is important because it takes these individuals out of their isolated environment and relocates them to a place where everyone cares about their health and well being. During addiction treatment, seniors receive care from professionals who help them regain their dignity, and form strong bonds with other seniors in the program. As such, the treatment experience for seniors is not just important because it promotes sober living, but because it helps create a sense of community and caring for these important individuals who desperately need it.

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