Many of us may not realize the severity of our Grandmother’s prescription to Xanax because after all it was prescribed by a doctor. Substance abuse as often been associated with younger crowds, but we have seen a large increase in substance abuse among seniors.
Many people say that substance abuse doesn’t have any boundaries and it is proving to be true in the little research that we have on seniors and substance abuse.
Seniors take more pills on average than other age groups and because pills that are easily abused are readily available to them they are prone to abusing them. According to a recent report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the number of U.S. adults age 50 or older needing substance abuse treatment is expected to double from 2.8 million to 5.7 million by the year 2020.
Due to the recent rise of senior citizens being admitted into treatment centers, it is estimated that drug abuse among older adults has increased by 106% for men and 119% for women between 1995 and 2002. Seniors with substance abuse problems is increasing at such a rapid rate that drug rehabilitation centers are finding it hard to place people who are trained in helping seniors with their drug problems.
What Is Causing The Increase In Substance Abuse Among Seniors
Many studies have shown that depression and anxiety are the leading factors for increased substance abuse among seniors. Financial problems have also been attributed to the increase in substance abuse among the elderly. They are constantly worrying about whether they will have enough money to live off of for the rest of their lives or that nobody will hire them at this age to do anything. Another important factor was loneliness.
Many seniors start losing some of their friends and can become very lonely. They now have lots of substances that they can turn to, to not feel the pain of loneliness or depression. They just want to numb the pain even if it is only for a brief period of time. They may not even realize that they are abusing the substance.
How To Treat Seniors Through Narconon Drug Rehabilitation
When treating seniors for substance abuse, several steps need to be taken according to Narconon drug rehabilitation. The most important thing we need to do is to address what they are worrying about emotionally by providing long term treatment and support. There are many good treatment facilities across the United States like NA and Narconon that offer what seniors will need and treatment facilities are becoming more equipped for seniors every day.
Facilities must focus on relieving stress and developing a new healthier lifestyle then the way they were living before. Of course we must eliminate the drug that they have been abusing.
There is no option of trying to get them to maintain this substance by keeping them medicated. The problem is however, that in many instances we can’t just remove the drug immediately because of possible withdrawal symptoms among other things. This must be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
Above and beyond treatment attention to senior health also has to be looked at. Often time’s seniors began to neglect their own diets. Guidance towards a healthy diet may be necessary. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, minus the sugar, processed foods, junk foods, and fast foods, has been proven to relieve depression and anxiety; especially when one is recovering from drug abuse.
For more information on Narconon drug rehabilitation or to get help for a loved one contact us today.








