Substance Abuse Among the Elderly

Seniors often jeopardize their health and succumb to patterns of unhealthy consumption of alcohol or misuse of prescription medication. Age-related changes in the body and chronic health conditions exacerbate substance abuse issues among the elderly. These issues may be overlooked by medical providers requiring family members and caregivers to notice the signs of substance abuse in older adults. Alcoholism is grossly underreported and untreated in this age group.

Depression and loneliness often go hand-in-hand with alcohol use among seniors and this coping mechanism can lead to serious health consequences and the avoidance of dealing with underlying mental health issues.

Common signs to watch for:

• Choosing an alcoholic beverage as a means for calming nerves or managing depression
• A high tolerance level
• Frequent irritability when sober
• The abuse begins to impact social involvement, create legal problems or negatively impact financial matters
• Showing signs of intoxication such as slurred speech and loss of coordination
• A decline in personal hygiene or cleanliness of the home environment
• Lying or trying to hide or disguise drinking habits
• Avoiding activities that do not involve alcohol or would prevent them from access to alcohol or other substances.

If you suspect substance abuse among a senior loved one start by monitoring the behavior and silently observing habits to gain as much information as possible about amount, frequency and type of substance. Once you have gathered sufficient information and determined that a likely substance abuse issue exists, you will need to determine who is the best person to contact to get help for this loved one. That may be another family member, a primary caregiver or medical professional.

It is very important that you help your loved one gain access to resources to help slow down and wean off of addictive substances. Depending on the type of substance, the quantity and the frequency there will be different procedures to effectively and safely treat the condition.

Even a small amount of alcohol can impair a senior’s judgment, coordination and reaction time. Aside from the dangers of intoxication, substance abuse can also exacerbate many medical conditions and interact negatively with prescription medication. Over time heavy drinking can cause certain cancers, nutritional deficiencies, immune system disorders and even brain damage. Chronic alcohol use can make elderly people more confused and forgetful which can be mistaken for dementia. There are many types of treatment programs available. Taking care of seniors is a high priority for the elder law attorneys at Stouffer legal. Contact us for assistance with any legal issues arising out of substance abuse among the elderly.