Substance misuse in the older person: setting higher standards

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Addiction Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Substance misuse among older adults is a growing concern, with numbers projected to double in the coming decades.
• This demographic often faces misconceptions and presents with subtle, atypical symptoms, complicating identification and treatment.
• Substance use in older individuals is linked to physical/mental illness, increasing healthcare costs and mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To underscore the increasing prevalence of substance misuse in the older population.
• To emphasize the importance of screening and assessment in diverse care settings.
• To advocate for integrated care and policy changes for older substance misusers.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and epidemiological data on substance misuse in older adults.
• Analysis of presentation patterns and diagnostic challenges in geriatric populations.
• Examination of treatment benefits and service provision gaps.

Main Results:

• Older adults misuse alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs, and illicit substances, with increasing trends.
• Substance use can be both a cause and consequence of co-occurring physical and mental health conditions.
• Effective treatment interventions for older adults with substance use disorders are increasingly evidenced.

Conclusions:

• Older adults are a significant and growing population requiring specialized substance use treatment.
• Screening and assessment are critical in all healthcare settings to identify atypical presentations.
• Neglecting this population has substantial costs; practitioners, researchers, and policymakers must prioritize their care.