You might think of addiction as a young person’s problem. In some ways, this makes sense, just based on the sad truth that so many people with substance abuse issues end up overdosing or in jail. Of course, plenty of people do make it to recovery, and they’re able to live into their golden years sober and relatively healthy. But what’s it like when the elderly have substance use disorders? The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) states that by the year 2020, illicit drug use among seniors is predicted to double and reach 3.5 million. There are disadvantages to trying to get clean as a senior citizen, but there are some surprising benefits as well.
You’ve heard the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This might not be completely true, but the older we get, the more set we are in our ways and the more resistant we are to change. If someone’s been having two drinks a night for 40 years, it’s going to be more difficult to abstain than a 19-year-old who’s only been at it since he went to college. If an older person is using alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with something, it might be difficult to find new methods.
There is also a certain mentality among senior citizens that they’ve made it this far in life without any interference, so they shouldn’t have to change now. Usually, this is accompanied by “My dad drank every day of his life and he lived to be 90.” Unfortunately, just because you’ve managed to make it to a certain age doesn’t mean that don’t have a problem. You might still be alive and more or less in good health, but if your substance use is taking over your life and causing you to miss out on responsibilities or the things you’re supposed to enjoy about retirement, something needs to change.
Factors like finances and family might be different for older people, too, depending on their situation. For example, a younger person might be struggling to balance a job and school, a relationship, children, paying off loans, and so forth. If the elderly person receives retirement income, they might not have to worry too much about money. Presumably, their children are grown and their homes paid for, and there are not too many big-ticket items they need to worry about purchasing. The senior citizen is also likely to have had the same friends and spouse for many years, which means a better support group. On the other hand, if they’ve been drinking with that spouse or those friends all those years, this could prove to be a roadblock, because they won’t want to separate themselves from everyone they know.
With the benefit of age and wisdom, elderly people can do just as well with sobriety as their younger counterparts. They don’t have the naivety to think they’re going to live forever, and they may be more likely to recognize all the things they have to stick around for. This might account for why they are far more likely to seek treatment of their own volition than younger people, who frequently arrive by way of the criminal justice system.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
