Home | Online Resources | UB Catalog | Campus Libraries | About UB Libraries | Forms | Search | Help

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
www.samhsa.gov

Older Adults and Substance Use Disorders : A Guide to Recovery From Misuse, Dependency or Addiction Problems

[image: Smiling older man and woman.]

Americans are living longer than ever before. It is estimated that one out of every five adults, age 60 or older, misuses alcohol and/or prescription drugs and is in need
of treatment. As people age, they may encounter a wide range of physical and mental challenges. This makes identifying and diagnosing substance use disorders more difficult. Symptoms of substance use disorders often are overlooked or misdiagnosed as depression, dementia and other health problems associated with aging.
Health care providers, however, are becoming increasingly aware of the potential for substance use disorders among older adults. But older adults themselves, and those who care about them, must play active roles in addressing the problem. Many family members, and older adults, often are reluctant to discuss misuse, dependency or
addiction problems. They maybe ashamed or feel others will not understand. They even may think that if someone of advanced age is misusing alcohol or drugs to cope with loneliness or physical discomfort, it is too late to change the behavior. The truth is, the lives of thousands of older adults could be improved if they just received proper treatment

.What is a substance use disorder?
A substance use disorder is the misuse, dependence or addiction to alcohol and/or legal or illegal drugs. Older adults can develop a substance use disorder, even without knowing it, for many reasons. Age-related changes in the body can have a tremendous impact on an older person's sensitivity to the effects of alcohol. In addition, the correct dose of prescription medication needed to treat any given illness or condition can vary considerably from person to person. This vulnerability to alcohol and drugs is compounded by the fact that older adults usually take more medications than the average person, which makes diagnosing a substance use disorder challenging. The only way to accurately identify a problem is through proper screening and assessment by a qualified professional.

[image: Doctor talking to an older man.]

How do I know if I, or an older adult I care about, has a substance use disorder?
First, be alert to the fact that older adults typically may begin misusing or abusing alcohol and/or medications following a major life change, such as the death of a spouse, a divorce, a prolonged acute illness or retirement. Second, recognize that alcohol use should be monitored since it often interacts in harmful, even fatal, ways with prescribed medications. And third, remember that the more medications someone is taking, the higher the risk of misuse, whether intentional or accidental.

[image: Smiling older woman.]

Subtle interactions among prescription medications often are hard to identify if an older adult's health care provider is not fully aware of all the substances and medications being taken. It therefore is critical to inform the health care provider of all prescribed medications and dosages, and if excessive alcohol or illegal drug use is occurring. This will help decrease the likelihood of intentional misuse, as well as the possibility of accidental over-medication or adverse drug interactions. It is also important that the older adult fully understands and follows the directions of any prescription medication carefully.

Where can I go to find help?
As the number of older adults in America grows, so too does the number of treatment services and programs available to assist those who have substance use isorders, and the people who care for them. If you think you or someone you know, may have a problem with alcohol or any legal or illegal drug, help is available. The resources listed in this brochure can assist you in identifying treatment programs and services that can meet your needs. Just one phone call can help you set course for recovery that leads to a fuller and healthier life.

[image: Collage of older persons.]

Where there's help, there's hope.

Federal Resources:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
5600 Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building, Suite 13C-05
Rockville, MD 20857
www.samhsa.gov • www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov

SAMHSA's National Helpline
800-662-HELP (Toll-Free)
800-487-4889 (TDD) (Toll-Free)
877-767-8432 (Spanish) (Toll-Free)

SAMHSA's Center for Mental Health Services
5600 Fishers Lane, Parklawn Building, Room 17-99
Rockville, MD 20857
301-443-2792 • www.cmhs.samhsa.gov

SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockwall II, 8th Floor
Rockville, MD 20857
301-443-5052 • www.csat.samhsa.gov
www.asyouage.gov

SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockwall II, 9th Floor
Rockville, MD 20857
301-443-0365 • www.csap.samhsa.gov

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging
Washington, DC 20201
202-619-0724 • www.aoa.gov

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging
Building 31, Room 5027
31 Center Drive, MSC 2292
Bethesda, MD 20892
301-496-1752 • www.nia.nih.gov

Non-Federal Resources:
This is just a sampling of available resources. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement.

American Association of Retired Persons
601 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20049
800-424-3410 (Toll-Free) • www.aarp.org

The National Council on the Aging
300 D Street, SW, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20024
202-479-1200 • 202-479-6674 (TDD) www.ncoa.org

Positive Aging Resource Center
(Supported, in part; by a grant from SAMHSA) www.positiveaging.org

DHHS Publication No. (SMA) 04-3942
NCADI Publication No. PHD1079

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Substance Abuse and mental health Services Administration
Center for Substance Abuse treatment
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockwall II, 8th Floor
Rockville, MD 20857

Top of page