Full access
Clinical & Research News
Published Online: 17 June 2005

Drug Abuse, Misuse Increasing Among Americans Aged 50 and Older

Mark MoranAuthors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 40, Number 12
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.40.12.00400021a
PDF/EPUB
Admissions of adults aged 50 and older for substance abuse treatment increased by 32 percent from 1995 to 2002, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Although substance use is more common among younger adults (aged 18 to 49) than among older adults (aged 50 and older), the misuse of alcohol and the use of illicit drugs appear to be increasing among older adults, SAMHSA reported in “Older Adults in Substance Abuse Treatment: Update.”
Misuse of opiates, especially prescription pain medications, appears to be an important factor driving the increase in substance abuse by older adults. The SAMHSA report noted that the percentage of older adults with opiates as their primary substance of abuse increased from 6.8 percent to 12 percent in this eight-year period.
Alcohol is still the primary substance of abuse among older adults, but the proportion of hospital admissions for older adults reporting alcohol as their primary substance declined from 86.5 percent in 1995 to 77.5 percent in 2002. Drug admissions among those age 55 and older increased by 106 percent for men and 119 percent for women between 1995 and 2002, according to SAMHSA.
To counter the upward trend in the abuse of opiates, SAMHSA is sponsoring new advertisements in print and on radio and television to encourage older adults to “Do The Right Dose” when using prescription pain relievers.
“We are only beginning to realize the pervasiveness of substance abuse among older adults,” SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie, M.A., said. “We have made older adults a priority at SAMHSA, and we are working to advance understanding of the relationship between aging and substance abuse, and to provide practical information for incorporating our understanding into treatment services.”
The SAMHSA report is based on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which asks persons aged 12 or older to report their use of drugs, including cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs. “Illicit drugs” include prescription-type drugs used nonmedically. All findings are annual averages based on combined 2002 and 2003 NSDUH data.
“Older Adults in Substance Abuse Treatment: Update” is posted on the Web at<www.oas.samhsa.gov/aging.htm>.▪

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 40 • Number 12 • June 17, 2005
Pages: 21

History

Published online: 17 June 2005
Published in print: June 17, 2005

Notes

The government is undertaking a campaign to urge older Americans to“ Do The Right Dose.”

Authors

Affiliations

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

PDF/ePub

View PDF/ePub

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.