How to Address Addiction in Older Adults

By Adam Palmer

It may come as a surprise, but retired adults struggle with addiction, too. But aren’t these the ones who are supposed to have their lives together, the ones who’ve left such childish pursuits? No. The fact is, addiction is a disease to which no one is immune, one which can affect anyone at any age.

First, the data. According to the University of Pennsylvania Health System, over 2.5 million older adults currently struggle with a drug or alcohol problem, with nearly 50% of nursing home residents dealing with alcohol-related problems. Widowers over age 75 have the highest rate of alcoholism in the United States, higher than any other cohort of any age.

Sadly, the numbers don’t stop there. The National Institutes of Health reports that the percentage of older adults with substance abuse disorder admitted to treatment facilities more than doubled over a recent ten-year span, while about 65% of older adults succumb to high-risk alcohol consumption.  

Alcohol abuse is a major concern to the NIH, since aging negatively affects the human body’s ability to assimilate alcohol. Since the body can’t whisk alcohol away as quickly as in youth, it lingers, impairing the central nervous system and increasing the “risk for accidents, including falls, fractures, and car crashes.”

Add to this the fact that many—if not most—older adults take multiple daily prescription medications that don’t always mix well with alcohol, leading to potentially damaging—or fatal—complications.

After alcohol, opioids are the next level of concern. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationreports that “the number of fatal opioid overdoses among seniors has risen dramatically over the last decade.”

As we can see, there are plenty of immediately understandable concerns here. But it doesn’t stop there, because we can also look below the surface to find an extended network of additional concerns. For example, drugs and alcohol can exacerbate the types of conditions that are more likely in older adults, like memory lapses, problems with major vital organs like the lungs or the heart, or even something like mood disorders.

And finally, as we all know, substance abuse doesn’t only affect just the abuser, but it ripples outwardly toward family members, friends, and other loved ones.  

So what can be done? How can this epidemic tide be stemmed?

Fortunately, there are many organizations doing great work in this area, including  Hope is Alive, a ministry partner of Retirement Reformation. Their mission is to radically change the lives of drug addicts, alcoholics, and those who love them, and they work in all kinds of areas to achieve this mission… including with older adults.

Hope is Alive (HIA) takes a holistic, process-oriented, Christ-centered approach to addiction, focusing on healing the deep wounds that lead to addiction rather than just modifying behavior. It’s a sobriety that sticks; over its ten-plus years of existence the organization has a success rate around 80%.

HIA has primarily seen these results through their sober mentoring homes, which currently number 25, spread over six states. But that is not their only method of reaching those who need to be reached. They now offer HIA Online, a program that converts their proven methodology into an online community experience for those who, for whatever reason, find it difficult to relocate into an HIA home.

Additionally, HIA offers two free support groups for friends or loved ones whose lives have been affected by addiction or alcoholism. The first is Finding Hope, which currently has over 50 meeting locations nationwide and which offers support, education, and community for loved ones of addicts and alcoholics. An offshoot of Finding Hope, their Hope After Loss support groups are available for those who have lost a loved one to addiction.

The data might be overwhelming, but we can rest in the knowledge that our God is bigger than any statistic. With the hope of Christ and solid programs like Hope is Alive, we can bring health and healing to a population increasingly in need of it.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction issue find support by calling 844-3-HOPE-NOW or visit hopeisalive.net