WHY ARE OLDER ADULTS MORE VULNERABLE TO THESE DISORDERS?
Older adults can experience certain events in life that can make them more vulnerable to substance use and addictive disorders.
Some of these experiences include:
LIFE TRANSITIONS
Retirement, or relocation to a nursing or retirement home
GRIEF AND LOSS
Losing a spouse, family member, close friend or pet
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
Losing a stream of income or being faced with financial difficulties.
TAKING SLEEP AIDS
Using substances like alcohol or other drugs to try to sleep.
MEDICATION USE
Using medications to treat existing health conditions and mixing these medications with non-prescribed drugs and substances like alcohol.
PHYSICAL CHANGES
As we age, our bodies can become less tolerant of tobacco and alcohol.
WHICH SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTIVE DISORDERS DO OLDER ADULTS COMMONLY FACE?
Alcohol and tobacco use disorders are the most common substance use disorders experienced by older adults. Gambling, an addictive disorder, is also common.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance among all age groups. In 2017, the Canadian Tobacco Alcohol and Drugs Survey found 75% of older adults reported drinking alcohol in the past year.
If you believe you have an alcohol use disorder, ask yourself the following questions:
- Have you ever thought you should cut down on your drinking?
- Have you ever felt annoyed by others’ criticism of your drinking?
- Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?
- Do you consume alcohol first thing in the morning?
If you responded “yes” to one or more questions, talk to your primary care provider or an addictions professional.
Tobacco Use Disorder
According to the 2017 Tobacco Use in Canada`s report, 11% of older adults smoke tobacco daily, making them the fourth highest smoking age group in Canada; however, they are the group most impacted by the negative physical effects of tobacco
use on the body.
Smoking tobacco is associated with 20 types of cancer, including lung, kidney and bladder cancer as well as heart disease and strokes. Long term tobacco use can also weaken bones, deteriorate vision and decrease blood circulation.
By quitting tobacco use, older adults can reverse some of the effects caused by prolonged tobacco use, and add two to three years back to their life expectancies
Gambling Disorder
Gambling is common among older adults because some may no longer be working or may face financial strains. Forms of gambling include casino games, bingo, scratch-and-win tickets, lotteries, betting on sports events, playing the stock market and internet gambling.
Signs of a gambling disorder include:
- Spending more on gambling than intended
- Feeling bad, sad or guilty after gambling
- Placing larger and more frequent bets
- Not having enough money for food, rent or bills after gambling
- Loss of interest and participation in normal activities with friends and family
- Placing a high priority on gambling
- Being secretive about your time and money being spent on gambling
WHAT ARE SIGNS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTIVE DISORDERS?
An older adult addicted to gambling or abusing substances may present signs that are typical of other health conditions that are strongly associated with ageing which can be why these disorders are harder to diagnose, or may be easily overlooked.
Some of these signs include:
BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS
- Increased aggression or irritability
- Social withdrawal
- Lack of energy or enthusiasm
COGNITIVE SIGNS
- Confusion and disorientation
- Memory impairment
- Daytime drowsiness
- Slurred speech
PHYSICAL SIGNS
- Weight changes
- Poor hygiene and self-neglect
- Poor coordination
- Unexplained injuries
PSYCHIATRIC SIGNS
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
WHAT ARE SOME TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTIVE DISORDERS?
There is no one-size- fits-all treatment for older adults experiencing substance use or addictive disorders,
however, there are a number of possible treatment options that include:
- Cognitive and behavioural therapies
- Self-help or group therapy
- Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing and Exercise
- Therapy that includes family and other loved ones
- Medication and drug-based treatment
- Harm reduction (strategies to reduce the negative consequences of substance use)
WHAT ARE SOME TIPS TO LOWER THE RISK OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTIVE DISORDERS?
Tips for older adults
The following activities can help to lower the risks linked to substance use and addictive disorders in older adults:
- Maintaining good nutrition
- Exercising at least three times a week
- Maintaining strong social connections
Older adults taking prescribed medications to treat existing health conditions should strive to:
- Adhere to the prescribed dosage of your medications
- Keep track of any medication side effects and talk to one`s prescriber
- Avoid places and people that may trigger you to consume medications and substances in harmful ways
Tips for Caregivers
If you are caring for an individual who may be presenting signs of having a substance use and/or addictive disorder, you can use the harm reduction approach to ensure they are as safe as possible.
These strategies can include:
- Ensuring their basic needs, such as for food and shelter, are met
- Helping them learn safer ways to use the substance or partake in the activity in proportion to the amount they are addicted to and possibly in smaller amounts over time
- Respecting the autonomy and choices of the older adult
WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?
CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION
The Canadian Mental Health Association provides information and services for individuals who are struggling with a mental health issue and would benefit from support.
CONNEXONTARIO
ConnexOntario provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness and/or gambling.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM IN ADDICTIONS – COPA
The COPA program helps adults 55 years and over who struggle with addictions that impact their daily lives. Services include: outreach based treatment, seeing clients in their homes, harm reduction, motivational interviewing/counselling and solution focused therapy.
CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH (CAMH)
The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health offers addictions counselling services, and is a source of information about addictions, management strategies and further resources.
Modified: 2020-12
We would like to thank the following for their support of our Education Resources to Support Healthy Ageing Initiative
- Mon Sheong Foundation and the Ben and Hilda Katz Foundation have generously provided funding to support printing and translation of our Education Resources to Support Healthy Ageing.
- The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility supported this initiative with funding through its Seniors Community Grant Program.