Substance abuse among the elderly (adults over the age of 60) in Iowa, particularly of alcohol and prescription drugs, is one of the fastest growing health problems in the United States.
Alcohol and prescription drug abuse affects up to 17% of adults over the age of 60 as per the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Due to insufficient knowledge, limited research data, and hurried office visits, health care providers often overlook substance abuse among the elderly. This is made worse by the fact that the elderly often have medical or behavioral disorders that mimic symptoms of substance abuse, such as depression, diabetes, or dementia.
According to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, substance abuse among senior citizens can be classified into two general forms: the "hardy survivor," or those who have been abusing substances for many years and have reached 65, and the "late onset" group, which is those who form addictions later in life. Regardless of how old you are or when your addiction started, there are treatment options available to help you get back on a healthy path.
There are several things that could contribute to someone turning to substance abuse later in life. These could be health-related issues or life-changing events that take an emotional toll. These events may provoke substance-abusing behavior that can result in a full-scale addiction.
Potential triggers or causes for drug or alcohol addiction in the elderly include:
Drug or alcohol abuse among the elderly is particularly dangerous because senior citizens are more susceptible to the deteriorating effects of these substances.
Individuals over 65 have a decreased ability to metabolize drugs or alcohol along with an increased brain sensitivity to them. This makes it dangerous for seniors to use drugs or alcohol at all, even if the person isn't addicted.
Benzodiazepines, which are used to treat anxiety, pain or insomnia, are some of the most dangerous prescription drugs for seniors. These are generously prescribed and highly addictive. The rate of senior citizens addicted to benzos has increased every year.
Alcohol or drug abuse may actually mimic symptoms of other medical or mental health disorders, such as diabetes, dementia or depression. This makes it easy for doctors who encounter an older patient to chalk up declining mental or physical health simply to "old age."
The alarming rate at which individuals 65 years and older are developing addictions to various substances is certainly reason for concern and something that should not be ignored by medical professionals, caretakers or family members. If you or someone you know in Iowa is struggling with addiction issues later in life and need help finding a treatment program, please contact a treatment expert today.
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Services, Mix Of Mental Health And Substance Abuse
Outpatient Drug Rehab, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Regular Outpatient Treatment
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Anger Management, Brief Intervention Approach, Motivational Interviewing, Matrix Model, Outreach To Persons In The Community, Relapse Prevention, Substance Abuse Counseling Approach, 12 Step Facilitation Approach
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Access To Recovery Voucher
Mental Health Treatment, Psychotropic Medication
Outpatient Drug Rehab, Community Mental Health Center
Individual Psychotherapy, Couple Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Behavior Modification, Trauma Therapy, Telemedicine Therapy, Smoking Tobacco Cessation Counselling
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State Financed Health Insurance Plan Other Than Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Military Insurance, State Mental Health Agency Funds, State Welfare Or Child And Family Services Funds, State Corrections Or Juvenile Justice Funds, State Education Funds, County Or Local Government Funds, Community Service Block Grants, Community Mental Health Block Grants, US Department Of Va Funds, Sliding Fee Scale, Payment Assistance
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Drug And Alcohol Treatment Services, Mix Of Mental Health And Substance Abuse
Outpatient Drug Rehab, Short Term Drug Rehab, Outpatient Detoxification, Outpatient Methadone Buprenorphine Or Vivitrol, Outpatient Day Treatment Or Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Computerized Treatment
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Anger Management, Brief Intervention Approach, Contingency Management Motivational Incentive, Motivational Interviewing, Matrix Model, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Relapse Prevention, Substance Abuse Counseling Approach, Trauma Related Counseling, 12 Step Facilitation Approach
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Services, Naltrexone, Acamprosate, Mix Of Mental Health And Substance Abuse, Medications For Psychiatric Disorders
Outpatient Drug Rehab, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Regular Outpatient Treatment
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Anger Management, Brief Intervention Approach, Contingency Management Motivational Incentive, Motivational Interviewing, Matrix Model, Outreach To Persons In The Community, Relapse Prevention, Substance Abuse Counseling Approach, Smoking Tobacco Cessation Counselling, Trauma Related Counseling
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State Financed Health Insurance Plan Other Than Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Military Insurance, Access To Recovery Voucher, Sliding Fee Scale
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Mental Health Treatment, Psychotropic Medication
Outpatient Drug Rehab, Community Mental Health Center
Individual Psychotherapy, Couple Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Behavior Modification, Dual Diagnosis Drug Rehab, Trauma Therapy, Telemedicine Therapy
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State Financed Health Insurance Plan Other Than Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Military Insurance, State Mental Health Agency Funds, State Welfare Or Child And Family Services Funds, State Corrections Or Juvenile Justice Funds, State Education Funds, County Or Local Government Funds, Community Service Block Grants, Community Mental Health Block Grants, US Department Of Va Funds
Services For The Hearing Impaired, Spanish
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Services, Substance Abuse Treatment Services
Outpatient Drug Rehab, Regular Outpatient Treatment
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Anger Management, Brief Intervention Approach, Contingency Management Motivational Incentive, Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers, Motivational Interviewing, Matrix Model, Outreach To Persons In The Community, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Substance Abuse Counseling Approach, Trauma Related Counseling, 12 Step Facilitation Approach
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Medicare, Private Health Insurance, Sliding Fee Scale
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Services, Naltrexone, Vivitrol, Acamprosate, Disulfiram, Mix Of Mental Health And Substance Abuse
Outpatient Drug Rehab, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Regular Outpatient Treatment, Computerized Treatment
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Anger Management, Brief Intervention Approach, Contingency Management Motivational Incentive, Motivational Interviewing, Outreach To Persons In The Community, Relapse Prevention, Substance Abuse Counseling Approach, Smoking Tobacco Cessation Counselling, Trauma Related Counseling, 12 Step Facilitation Approach
Cash Or Self Payment, State Financed Health Insurance Plan Other Than Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Military Insurance
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Services, Naltrexone, Mix Of Mental Health And Substance Abuse, Medications For Psychiatric Disorders
Inpatient Drug Rehab, Outpatient Drug Rehab, Long Term Drug Rehab, Outpatient Day Treatment Or Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Regular Outpatient Treatment
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Anger Management, Brief Intervention Approach, Contingency Management Motivational Incentive, Motivational Interviewing, Matrix Model, Relapse Prevention, Substance Abuse Counseling Approach, Trauma Related Counseling, 12 Step Facilitation Approach
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, State Financed Health Insurance Plan Other Than Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Military Insurance
Mental Health Treatment, Psychotropic Medication
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Individual Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Behavior Modification, Activity Therapy
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State Financed Health Insurance Plan Other Than Medicaid, Private Health Insurance
Spanish
Mental Health Treatment, Psychotropic Medication
Hospital Inpatient, Outpatient Drug Rehab, Psychiatric Hospital Or Psychiatric Unit Of A General Hospital
Individual Psychotherapy, Couple Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Behavior Modification, Trauma Therapy, Activity Therapy
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Medicare, Private Health Insurance, Military Insurance, County Or Local Government Funds
Services For The Hearing Impaired
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Services, Halfway House, Substance Abuse Treatment Services
Inpatient Drug Rehab, Outpatient Drug Rehab, Short Term Drug Rehab, Long Term Drug Rehab, Outpatient Day Treatment Or Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Regular Outpatient Treatment
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Anger Management, Brief Intervention Approach, Contingency Management Motivational Incentive, Community Reinforcement Plus Vouchers, Motivational Interviewing, Matrix Model, Relapse Prevention, Substance Abuse Counseling Approach, Smoking Tobacco Cessation Counselling, Trauma Related Counseling, 12 Step Facilitation Approach
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Military Insurance, Access To Recovery Voucher, Sliding Fee Scale
Services For The Hearing Impaired, Spanish
Mental Health Treatment, Psychotropic Medication
Hospital Inpatient, Psychiatric Hospital Or Psychiatric Unit Of A General Hospital
Individual Psychotherapy, Group Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Trauma Therapy, Activity Therapy, Telemedicine Therapy, Smoking Tobacco Cessation Counselling
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State Financed Health Insurance Plan Other Than Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Military Insurance, State Mental Health Agency Funds, State Welfare Or Child And Family Services Funds, State Corrections Or Juvenile Justice Funds, State Education Funds, Other State Funds, County Or Local Government Funds, Community Service Block Grants, Community Mental Health Block Grants, US Department Of Va Funds
Services For The Hearing Impaired
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Services, Mix Of Mental Health And Substance Abuse, Do Not Treat Opioid Addiction
Outpatient Drug Rehab, Regular Outpatient Treatment
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Anger Management, Brief Intervention Approach, Contingency Management Motivational Incentive, Motivational Interviewing, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Relapse Prevention, Substance Abuse Counseling Approach, Trauma Related Counseling, 12 Step Facilitation Approach
Cash Or Self Payment
Drug And Alcohol Treatment Services, Halfway House, Substance Abuse Treatment Services
Inpatient Drug Rehab, Short Term Drug Rehab, Long Term Drug Rehab
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Anger Management, Brief Intervention Approach, Motivational Interviewing, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Relapse Prevention, Substance Abuse Counseling Approach, Smoking Tobacco Cessation Counselling, 12 Step Facilitation Approach
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Access To Recovery Voucher, Sliding Fee Scale
Mental Health Treatment, Psychotropic Medication
Outpatient Drug Rehab, Community Mental Health Center
Individual Psychotherapy, Couple Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Trauma Therapy, Telemedicine Therapy
Cash Or Self Payment, Medicaid, Medicare, State Financed Health Insurance Plan Other Than Medicaid, Private Health Insurance, Military Insurance, State Mental Health Agency Funds, Other State Funds, County Or Local Government Funds, Community Mental Health Block Grants, Sliding Fee Scale, Payment Assistance
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