Substance misuse in the older population

Abstract

Substance misuse among the older population is largely overlooked and underreported. Many factors contribute to this, not least the fact that presentation may be atypical and hence easily missed by the medical practitioner. There may be many clues to its existence, provided the physician remains alert to these. Despite this it is quite comforting to know that once identified, the evidence to date suggests that older people may respond at least as well as younger people to treatment.

Drinking Culture of Elderly Korean Immigrants in Canada: A Focus Group Study

“…Further, the alcohol dependence rate among Korean elderly immigrants in this study was also substantially higher than what has appeared in other literature. For example, a study conducted in Britain reported that alcohol dependence rates among those aged 65 to 69 and 70 to 75 were 1.7% and .9%, respectively (McGrath et al 2005), whereas in the U.S., the rate for the elderly age 65 and older was 2-4% (Adams et al 1993). Taken at face value, elderly Korean immigrants have a higher prevalence of drinking problems than do their homeland counterparts as well as in comparison to the elderly U.S. population and that of industrial countries such as Great Britain.…”

Prevalence, risk factors and treatment for substance abuse in older adults

“…The importance of brief interventions, screening and the early identification of alcohol misuse for older adults continues to be recognized [40,41]. A number of recent research papers have pointed out differences in the presentation of at-risk drinking in older adults compared with younger individuals [41] and the uptake of aftercare services [42].…”

Older substance misusers still deserve better services – an update (Part 1)

“…6 Older people not only receive most of the prescriptions in the UK but are also being dispensed multiple medications. 7 Over-the-counter availability (or methods of obtaining medicines other than through legitimate channels) makes multiple analgesic drug use a particular problem. 8 A very interesting study has drawn attention to the finding that 40% of elderly primary care patients on low-dose opioid analgesics for a year fulfilled the Research Diagnostic Criteria for dependence syndrome.…”