Older adults account for largest proportion of individuals with addiction

Recent findings show that adults age 50 to 59 years account for the largest proportion of individuals with drug addictions and that there has been a consistent increase in older adults seeking treatment for abuse of injection and prescription drugs in recent years.

“Addiction at any age is heartbreaking,” Michael Lowenstein, MD, medical director at Waismann Method, said in a press release. “However, the emergence of this age group is particularly troubling. After almost 20 years of addiction treatment, we are acutely aware of the unique treatment requirements that can arise in this population because of their increased number of co-existing medical problems. We are committed to doing all we can to best serve our older patients.”

Michael Lowenstein

Lowenstein and colleagues found that the number of adults aged 50 to 59 years seeking treatment for opioid dependence and addiction increased from 7.8% in 1996 to 35.9% in 2012. The number of adults aged 60 to 69 years seeking substance abuse treatment has also increased.

Conversely, the proportion of adults aged 40 years and younger seeking treatment decreased from 56% in 1996 to approximately 20% in 2012.

Researchers believe the upward trend in older adults will continue well into 2020, according to the release.

“This problem, specifically among older patients, is quickly reaching epidemic proportions. The number of older adults who have substance abuse disorders and the rapidly rising number of these patients entering drug rehab is alarming,” Lowenstein said. “Now we must make available medically appropriate programs that can succeed in providing detoxification and drug treatment to this age group in a safe and compassionate manner.”