At baseline, 53.4% of participants identified as women and the mean age of all participants was 56.7 (± 8.1 years; Table 1). During the average follow-up of 11.5 (± 2.8) years, the incidence rate for any psychiatric disorder was 11.48 per 1000 person-years in women and 12.45 in men. Individuals diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder were more likely to be men, have chronic health conditions and exhibit suboptimal lifestyle behaviors, and have a lower SES compared with other groups in the cohort. This study suggests that GBN has significant benefits for lowering the risk of psychiatric disorders in middle-aged and older adults. Future studies are warranted to validate these findings and to understand the potential mechanistic pathways underpinning these novel findings. Older adults typically use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate against the physical and emotional pain that comes with aging.

In addition to improving their quality of life, you may save them from succumbing to this disease. To find a treatment program, browse the top-rated addiction treatment facilities in each state https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/meditation-for-addiction-recovery-methods-and-techniques/ by visiting our homepage, or by viewing the SAMHSA Treatment Services Locator. The helpline at AddictionResource.net is available 24/7 to discuss the treatment needs of yourself or a loved one.

Treatment Planning

The death rate was higher for people living in rural areas (15.2 per 100,000) than urban areas (14.1 per 100,000). It was also higher for men (22.5 per 100,000) than women (6.8 per 100,000). BPL, RH, TS, and KJH drafted the manuscript under the supervision of QZ and CXJ. The corresponding authors substance abuse in older adults attests that all listed authors meet authorship criteria and that no others meeting the criteria have been omitted. Find out how to choose a nursing home or assisted living facility, when to fight a discharge, the rights of nursing home residents, all about reverse mortgages, and more.

Box 2 reviews the potential symptoms or indicators of problematic substance use. We thank our Loma Linda University Health colleagues, who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted the manuscript. We would also like to show our gratitude to our institution for allowing and encouraging us to publish our academic activities. The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) is a modified Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) that can be applied to all substances. 2.9 percent for individuals with less than a high school education, 3.1 percent for individuals with a high school education, and 4.5 percent for those with at least some college. See our open data portal, or reach out to us at open- to connect with an expert on aging in America.

Increased Sensitivity to Alcohol

When assessing or speaking to older adults about substance use, some general considerations should apply. Although the rates of SUD and use of drugs and alcohol are generally lower among older adults than the general population, aging itself presents specific risks for harm when considering even minimal amounts of substance use among older adults. Risk factors may vary considerably by substance and the specific clinical presentation of a patient (eg, age, medical comorbidities, current medications, and health history). Understanding substance-specific risks can help practitioners to recognize and respond to unhealthy use that does not meet the narrow definition of problem use. Older individuals who misuse substances may require treatment even if they do not meet DSM-5 criteria for an SUD.

  • Some research suggests that e-cigarettes might be less harmful than cigarettes when people who regularly smoke switch to vaping as a complete replacement.
  • Reducing these neurotransmitters has been linked with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, increasing one’s risk for substance abuse or addiction.
  • Opioid medications work by attaching to the brain’s opioid receptors and interrupting pain signals.
  • However, older adults still experience certain risk factors that can increase their chances of substance misuse.

The loss of short-term memory may increase a person’s risk of drug abuse. According to NIDA, older adults are more likely than younger adults to experience mood disorders. Research shows different results on the prevalence of mood disorders among older adults. Using DSM-5 criteria to make an SUD diagnosis.534 Using an SUD assessment instrument based on DSM-5 criteria will improve diagnostic accuracy.