Drug Rehab for Seniors

Addiction does not discriminate. It has no regard for occupation, ethnicity, or even age. It can affect anyone, and older adults are no exception. Many older adults face the difficulties of substance dependence and addiction on a daily basis. Countless senior citizens are suffering from alcoholism and drug abuse and are in need of professional treatment.

The wonderful staff at Discovery Institute of New Jersey is committed to helping people overcome substance abuse and addiction. Our team understands the reality of addiction’s impact on individuals of all ages. We know that this problem affects both younger and older individuals. So, our facility is equipped to serve and help young people as well as older adults.

Our drug rehab program for seniors is specially designed to treat this population for drug and alcohol addiction.

How Common is Addiction Among Older Adults?

There are several types of addiction and substance use disorder. Sometimes, people become dependent on alcohol. As a result of this dependence, individuals may develop an addiction to alcohol. They begin to drink excessively without being able to control their alcohol intake.

In other cases, people may use medication in order to treat various illnesses and ailments in their bodies. After using prescription drugs for a while, some individuals become physically dependent on them. They may struggle and feel uncomfortable unless they take more medication. This can lead to the abuse of drugs, and eventually- addiction.

Finally, there is illicit drug use and addiction. People who use illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine may become addicted to these substances fairly quickly. This is not only unhealthy, but it’s also life-threatening.

According to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, between 3.6% and 7.2% of individuals between the ages of 50 and 65 reported that they had been using illicit drugs. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported that, in 2014, over a million people around 65 years old or older suffered from a substance abuse problem.

The Importance of Age-Specific Treatment

When it comes to getting treatment for substance abuse, it’s important to understand that age-specific treatment is crucial to a successful recovery. Those who are in the process of recovering from addiction should receive the help they need in a setting that is conducive to meeting their needs. In other words, it’s best for people to get treatment in a place that is both comfortable and effective.

Many times, older individuals have very different needs than younger individuals. Effective treatment programs take those needs into account. Many aged adults find themselves in need of professional help in order to get past a substance use problem. In these cases, it’s best to locate a treatment center that will focus specifically on the situations and challenges an older individual might face throughout recovery.

People who are over the age of 65 often have needs that younger individuals simply don’t have. The opposite is also true. This is where age-specific treatment comes in.

Peer Recovery

One of the best components of professional treatment programs is the fact that people who enroll in them can gain from their interaction with their peers. Individuals can learn more about their own journey as they hear from others in recovery.

It is often more helpful to spend time with individuals who can both understand and relate to you. This is certainly true for those in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse. While in treatment, people can develop a strong support system, consisting of fellow patients. This also allows the opportunity for accountability, which is critical in recovery.

Finally, age-focused treatment programs also allow individuals to receive care and support that focuses on their specific physical needs. It’s likely that older individuals will have particular health concerns that may not be present in most younger adults.

Treatment programs that are designed to help seniors can accommodate older individuals better than other programs. This is because they are equipped with approaches that are best for such situations. For example, an older individual may have a health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure. An age-specific treatment service can take the client’s physical health needs into account during treatment.

Drug and Alcohol Rehab for Seniors

Again, addiction is a disease that does not discriminate. Alcohol or drug dependence can be late-onset, affecting individuals in their retirement years. But it can also persist throughout someone’s lifetime, affecting him or her throughout younger years and into the older adult years.

Senior citizens who have drug and alcohol dependence can arrive at the diagnosis through either route, but treatment is necessary for both types of patients. Many life events can cause individuals to develop an alcohol or drug addiction later in life. Some events which might cause this problem to develop might include:

One of the biggest challenges about getting seniors the help they need is that admitting one has an addiction or alcohol problem is often very difficult, especially for people who may be deeply established in life and experience shame and embarrassment at the idea of asking for help.

In these cases, intervention from caring and supportive family members might be crucial in getting patients to enroll in an addiction treatment center’s program. Help from loved ones and family members may be the first step in helping these clients begin their journey towards a happy and fulfilling life free from drugs and alcohol.

Identifying Some Signs and Symptoms of Addiction in Older Adults

It can be difficult to identify a drug or alcohol problem in senior citizens because addiction can be disguised as many of the physical and mental health challenges individuals naturally face as they age. If you are concerned about a loved one, there are some signs you can look out for that could indicate a drug or alcohol problem, including:

If you have an older loved one and he or she is showing some of these signs, it’s highly possible that the individual has developed a substance dependence problem. Many older adults struggle with alcohol use disorder and drug misuse. But, thankfully, there are resources and treatment programs available to help those who are bound by the chains of addiction.

These signs may indicate that a senior in your life has an addiction problem. If this is, in fact, the case, it’s best to take action right away. You can speak with your family member or friend about getting help. But, if the individual is not interested, it may be time to stage an intervention. By joining with loved ones and professionals who can navigate you through the intervention process, you can help to bring the addiction problem to your loved one’s attention. This will allow you to get the individual the help he or she needs.