Oklahoma Recovery Finders
  • Intervention
  • Detox
  • Rehab
    • Alcohol Rehab
      • Alcohol dependency affects people across the globe, but there are many cases right here in Norman, OK.
        Learn More…

    • Drug Rehab
      • Addiction Treatment in Stillwater

        Many people think of addiction as a moral failing, but research shows that it is a medical condition and should be treated the same as any other chronic disease.
        Learn more…

  • Seek Help Now
  • Home
  • Treatment Programs
    • Alcohol Rehab
    • Drug Rehab
    • Detox
    • Intervention
  • Program Length
    • 30-Day Treatment Program
    • 60-Day Treatment Program
    • 90-Day Treatment Program
  • Insurance Information
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield Addiction Treatment
    • Bright Health Addiction Treatment
  • Local Drug Information
    • Substance Abuse on Tribal Land
  • Locations
    • Lawton, OK
    • Enid, OK
    • Oklahoma City
    • Tulsa, OK
    • Stillwater, OK
  • Blog
Drug Use in Older Adults on the Rise
July 21, 2020

Drug Use in Older Adults on the Rise

admin Drug Addiction

Studies conducted over the past 10 years indicate drug use rising in middle-age and older adults. Researchers found the opioid epidemic is partially behind this spike in cases. In addition to prescription opioids and heroin misuse, increased alcohol, marijuana and poly drug misuse in older adults also is on the rise. 

Although many perceive substance use disorders as a condition of the young, addiction and substance use are becoming increasing threats to middle-aged and older adults. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently conducted studies highlighting the importance of screening older adults for substance use disorder (SUD).  

Why Are Older Adults at Increased Risk for SUD? 

Chronic health conditions due to the aging process can lead physicians to prescribe the middle-aged and elderly with opiate medications. And opiates are not the only drugs they are taking. Another NIDA study found that 3,000 adults aged 57-85 showed common mixing of prescription medicines, non-prescription drugs and dietary supplements. More than 80 percent of participants in the study used at least one prescription medication daily. Nearly half used more than five medications or supplements. This puts at least one in 25 people in this age group at risk for a significant drug-to-drug interaction. Worse, older adults who mix prescriptions face an increase in suicidal thoughts.  

Another complication is that little is known about the effects of drugs on the aging brain. That is why sometimes drug use in older adults is considered a hidden problem. For example, we associate forgetfulness with several ailments that affect the aging. This makes it hard to decipher whether a loved one is misusing substances or has a cognitive condition such as dementia. And in a cruel twist, a person with a cognitive condition may unintentionally take improper amounts of medication, leading to accidental substance use disorder.  

Recently, researchers discovered that it’s not just prescription drugs and alcohol affecting this demographic. One study shows that marijuana and medical marijuana could be contributing factors to the increase in SUD among older adults. The data indicates that 9 percent of adults aged 50-64 reported past-year marijuana use in 2015-2016. That’s compared to 7.1 percent in 2012-2013. The same went for adults 65 years and older. Their pot intake increased sharply from 0.4 percent in 2006-2007 to 2.9 percent in 2015-2016.  

Potential Solutions 

“My first job as a clinician is to convince these patients to cut back on using,” said Susan Lehman, director of the Geriatric Day Hospital program at Johns Hopkins University 

However, this has proved difficult due to a lack of screening for SUD in older adults. According to the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions, the drug-use symptoms associated with younger substance users are masked somewhat in older adults. Therefore, the challenge becomes identifying when older adults are using substances, rather than attributing symptoms to the normal aging process. 

Also, there is little information on what successful long-term care models look like for this older demographic. Therapy and medication are used successfully in younger substance users. That is why developing proper screening for older adults is essential to determine what methods of therapy and medications are right for them. 

Going Forward 

Ultimately, developing a better understanding of how we screen middle-aged and older adults for SUD will improve care in the future. With better screening, doctors and treatment professionals will be able to identify SUDs in older Americans. Even more helpful, medical professionals will be able to determine whether an individual has a SUD or is struggling with a pre-existing cognitive condition. 

Rural America Struggles Against Opioid Epidemic Go to Rehab and Keep Your Job [How-To]

Related Posts

How Does Cocaine Change Someone's Personality

Drug Addiction

How Does Cocaine Change Someone’s Personality?

Rural America Struggles Against Opioid Epidemic

Drug Addiction

Rural America Struggles Against Opioid Epidemic

addiction recovery

Drug Addiction

Your best weapons on your way to recovery

STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION?

Speak with a professional today. We can help you find treatment no matter your situation. Get a Free consultation now.

Recent Posts

  • How Does Cocaine Change Someone’s Personality?
    October 15, 2020

    Read more →

  • What is a High Functioning Alcoholic (And How to Help Them)?
    October 12, 2020

    Read more →

  • Rapid Detoxification (Explained)
    October 8, 2020

    Read more →

  • Go to Rehab and Keep Your Job [How-To]
    September 11, 2020

    Read more →

  • Drug Use in Older Adults on the Rise
    July 21, 2020

    Read more →

  • Rural America Struggles Against Opioid Epidemic
    July 17, 2020

    Read more →

  • Your best weapons on your way to recovery
    December 31, 2019

    Read more →

  • 4 Things to Remember in Recovery
    September 9, 2019

    Read more →

  • How Do You Find Out if Addiction Treatment is Covered?
    August 23, 2019

    Read more →

  • 5 Things to Look Forward to in Recovery
    July 20, 2019

    Read more →

Find Your Destination (405-583-4319)

  • Intervention
    • Start An Intervention
  • Treatment Types
    • Detox
    • Alcohol Rehab
    • Drug Rehab
  • Treatment Plans
    • 30-Day Treatment Program
    • 60-Day Treatment Program
    • 90-Day Treatment Program
  • Insurance
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield Addiction Treatment
    • Bright Health Addiction Treatment
  • Treatment Locations
    • Lawton, OK
    • Enid, OK
    • Oklahoma City, OK
    • Tulsa, OK
    • Stillwater, OK
    • Substance Abuse on Tribal Land
  • View All Help Articles
    • Go To Articles
    • Drug Addiction
    • Insurance
    • recovery
    • Rehab and Sobriety
  • Contact Us
    • Call 405-583-4319

About Us


Treatment professionals in Norman, OK offer tested, proven recovery programs with an excellent success rate. For more information about substance abuse, interventions, detox or rehab, please contact 405-583-4319 and speak to a recovery expert today.

About You

Willpower is an important factor in recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, but it is not enough on its own. Our team can help you find the rehabilitation services you need regardless of how long you have been struggling. From cleansing and detoxifying your body to learning long-term strategies for avoiding relapse, help from treatment professionals is the best way to get clean and stop addiction in Norman, OK.

Recent Posts

  • How Does Cocaine Change Someone’s Personality?

    Read more

  • What is a High Functioning Alcoholic (And How to Help Them)?

    Read more

  • Rapid Detoxification (Explained)

    Read more

  • Go to Rehab and Keep Your Job [How-To]

    Read more

  • Drug Use in Older Adults on the Rise

    Read more

Stay Connected With Us

Better Place Recovery Services