July 11th is World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day. Benzodiazepines are a medicine that is often prescribed for anxiety disorders, insomnia, and seizures. These medicines are what’s called a “controlled substance” which means that they’re only available with a prescription. When used incorrectly, benzodiazepines can be habit forming. Today we’re going to look at substance abuse in older adults. 

Actual use 

According to data from 2018, almost 1 million older adults (age 60+) have a substance use disorder. An estimated 43% of older adults (age 65+) have used alcohol in the past year. Marijuana use in older adults continues to rise; in 2006-2007 0.4% of adults age 65+ reported using marijuana in the past year vs. 2.9% in 2015-2016. Each year about 300,000 nicotine smoking-related deaths occur in people age 65+.  

Unique issues 

• Older adults are more likely than younger adults to have at least one chronic condition for which they’re taking a prescription medicine. Their medicine could have a bad interaction with whatever substance they’re using.  
• As we age, the way our body processes alcohol and medication changes. Medications (and other substances) may stay in our bodies longer as we age.  
• Older adults are less likely to receive services for substance abuse. According to 2019 data, only 24% of older adults sought treatment for their use of narcotics. Only 16.8% of older adults sought treatment for alcohol abuse.  
• Screening for substance use/abuse usually is not part of assessments of older adults.  
• Popular culture does not show older adults struggling with substance abuse/misuse, which makes older adults believe that people their age do not have issues with substances.  
• Older adults are likely to be on an opioid medication for pain. Some older adults switch from prescription opioid medication to heroin, which can be cheaper.  
• When older adults do seek treatment, they prefer to be in treatment with people around their own age.  

Resources  

• Washtenaw County 24/7 Substance Abuse Hotline: (734) 544-3050 
• Alcoholics Anonymous 
• CSSW Substance Abuse Counseling 
• Friends of the Little House 
• Home of New Vision 
• Narcotics Anonymous 
• Packard Health 
• SmokeFree 60+ 
• Tips about safely taking multiple medications 
• Tips for talking with older adults about substances via The National Council on Aging