Alcohol and Drug Rehab For Seniors in West Palm Beach—Specialized Care For Lasting Recovery

The US is currently seeing encouraging progress in its fight against substance use disorders (SUD). Just last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a nearly 24% decline in drug-related deaths.

A similar downward trend is observed in the Sunshine State, with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) noting a significant 19% decrease in overdose fatalities statewide.

That said, communities and families continue to feel the effects of the drug epidemic, with recent estimates placing the number at over 40 million. Historically, seniors aged 65 and older are no exception to this.

Addiction in the elderly can be particularly dangerous, with the combination of age and a limited support network available to them.

If you or any of your elderly loved ones are currently struggling with a drug or alcohol use disorder in West Palm Beach, know that help is close, and a timely intervention can make a world of difference.

How Many Seniors Struggle With Addiction?

While the rate of illicit substance misuse usually declines after young adulthood, many people carry their SUD well into middle age, and some even later in life.

In the US, addiction has affected the elderly as much as the younger population. Review studies from 2023 revealed that SUD among the geriatric population is one of the fastest-growing health concerns in the country.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) estimates 17% of seniors live with alcohol or prescription drug abuse habits.

A few years back, a survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that there are over 4.6 million adults aged 65 and older who struggle with some kind of substance use disorder.

Overdose Deaths in Older Adults

The rate of overdose is similarly alarming, with the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reporting that over 5,000 seniors died of an overdose in 2020.

What’s concerning about these numbers is that they’ve tripled in the past decades. In the early 2000s, the ratio of elderly drug-related fatalities was 2.4 per 100,000. Now, it’s increased to 8.8 deaths per 100,000.

Alcohol-induced deaths in older adults have been consistently increasing as well, with experts noting a 19% uptick.

Fentanyl and synthetic opioid fatalities have similarly risen. Elderly deaths related to these potent drugs have grown to a significant 53% during the 2019 and 2020 COVID pandemic period.

Why Addiction Affects Older Adults Differently

There are two types or forms of substance use disorders among American senior citizens.

Some engaged in drug or alcohol abuse earlier in life until they reached late adulthood. Others begin to abuse illicit substances and develop addictive habits later in their lives, often to manage chronic pain or health conditions.

Common drugs abused by the elderly include alcohol, prescription pain relievers, marijuana, benzodiazepines, and sedatives.

Addiction is experienced differently by everyone. But for older individuals, the negative effects can be compounded with age and declining physical health.

Effects of Alcohol Addiction in the Elderly

People of advanced age are more vulnerable to the effects of opioids and alcohol.

While we know little about how illicit drugs impact an aging brain, we have evidence that an older body metabolizes them more slowly. That means potent substances can stay in their systems longer.

Alcohol abuse is among the most common addictions among the elderly in the US, heightening the risks associated with increased age.

The sedative effect of ethanol can be particularly dangerous, alongside its influence on balance, coordination, and focus. Older adults are more likely to fall, get into an accident, and suffer from serious injuries after drinking.

For reference, unintentional falls remain a leading cause of preventable injury and death in people over 60 in the US, with over 30,000 annual fatalities.

Misusing alcohol later in life has been associated with a rapid decline in cognitive function. This can include problems with memory, thinking, and judgment, putting them at risk when driving.

Alcohol addiction can also precede mental disorders. People who currently struggle with mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and dementia, can experience worsened symptoms.

Medical conditions like lung and heart diseases, chronic pain, diabetes, and infections can be exacerbated with alcohol and drug abuse. Cancer risk is increased with age and addiction.

A combination of all these factors can lower an elderly individual’s quality of life, endangering both their mental and physical well-being.

Spotting Substance Abuse in Senior Citizens

If you or someone you know is on the older side and is developing addiction, catching the signs early can be crucial to prevent serious health consequences.

Here are some of the common signs of SUD in older individuals:

• Change in sleeping patterns
• Depression, irritability, and loneliness
• Desire to be alone
• An increase or loss of appetite
• Issues with hygiene
• Increased falling accidents
• Suicidal thoughts and actions
• Disinterest in their relationships
• Dropping hobbies and activities they loved

Certain symptoms of addiction can easily go unnoticed in seniors because of how common they are. A nagging physical pain or a sudden decline in energy, for instance, can be an indicator of SUD development.

What Does Addiction Treatment For the Elderly Look Like?

Seniors who struggle with addiction face many unique challenges compared to younger individuals with similar behavioral issues.

Increased isolation and comorbid conditions can make recovery ever more complicated.

Retirement can be especially lonely, what with being away from your friends and family and losing loved ones and spouses, which can lead to unwanted isolation.

To cope with loneliness, they may start drinking more or using substances.

Rehab centers help by providing opportunities to break cycles of isolation among the elderly while receiving treatment for SUD. We’re talking community-building, group therapies, and support groups where they can rebuild their social skills.

Co-occurring medical concerns can make treatment difficult. But many treatment centers are equipped to deal with both addiction and comorbid conditions in the elderly.

How Is Addiction In the Older Population Treated?

Depending on the severity of addiction and the unique needs of the older adult, treatment providers may offer various levels of inpatient and outpatient care.

Psychoeducation

Experts found that older individuals who use alcohol, drugs, and prescription medication may benefit from psychoeducation. This can be integrated into treatment in several ways, including during family therapy.

Educating individuals about their condition is effective because it helps them make sense of their unique experiences and struggles.

It demystifies addiction and outlines a clear path toward recovery, as well as teaches valuable coping skills and mechanisms patients and their families can depend on.

A qualified mental health professional, a counselor, or a therapist, during psychoeducation, may discuss:

• The negative health and social effects of addiction
• Risks associated with poly-drug use
• How age affects drug metabolism
• Information about their drug of choice
• Mental health education
• Topics like loneliness, grief, despair, death, and finding support
• Proper ways to treat their pain or age-related health condition

In many cases, psychoeducation can also help identify and manage triggers in those who struggle with substance abuse.

By knowing the situations, people, events, emotions, and other factors that provoke cravings, the patient, with the help of an expert, can develop effective strategies to navigate everyday life.

Medical Detox

Also called detox therapy, medical detox is a crucial stage in early recovery where the person with SUD cuts back or ceases using or drinking.

During their abstinence, medical and drug treatment experts monitor and stabilize the patient’s withdrawal symptoms. Supervised detox is important in older adults, as withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to deadly.

Common withdrawal symptoms include:

• Depression and anxiety
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Disorientation
• Shaking and tremors
• Vomiting
• Hallucinations
• Night terrors
• Difficulty sleeping
• Appetite loss

Among the more dangerous withdrawal effects is delirium tremens, which can happen in individuals with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD). DTs have a mortality rate of 5% to 15% without proper support.

Medical detox typically unfolds in three key steps: evaluation, stabilization, and continuing care.

During evaluation, a patient will undergo a series of screening and tests. Treatment providers will examine the person’s general health status, whether they have comorbid disorders, and the severity of their SUD.

Stabilization is where the patient, who is going through withdrawal, is monitored closely. A team of medical and mental health support will be available around the clock to address possible health complications.

In serious cases of withdrawal, medication may be provided to alleviate intense symptoms.

Once the patient is stabilized, they may be admitted into rehab for further treatment. From there, they can explore available treatment options and levels of care that work best for their unique situation.

Medical detox usually lasts from 7 to 10 days.

Therapy and Counseling

Counseling and therapy are central to many addiction treatment programs. The same is true when treating alcohol and drug rehab for seniors.

• Family Therapy: Involving the family during addiction treatment is helpful in many ways. Family therapy helps educate family members and resolve conflict in the family unit caused by substance abuse.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy: CBT is standard in addiction treatment approaches. It helps patients identify problematic behavioral and thinking patterns that feed into their SUD and try to resolve them.
• Motivational enhancement: Motivation is a major predictor of recovery among those receiving treatment. ME helps people find the conviction to go through treatment and set attainable goals.
• Group therapy: Meeting people during group therapy can be vital in resolving feelings of isolation and loneliness among SUD patients. That, and it provides a safe space to learn coping skills.
• Medication-assisted treatment: During therapy, healthcare providers can prescribe FDA-approved medications to aid recovery.

Clinical case management may be recommended to treat SUD in people in their golden years. This is a collaborative approach where a treatment provider coordinates medical, mental health, and social support for the individual.

Inpatient Rehab vs Outpatient Rehab For Older Adults

Treatment programs for addiction in the elderly can be administered in two ways: inpatient and outpatient.

An inpatient or residential program means the patient will receive 24/7 treatment while staying in a facility or center. This can be ideal for older individuals with co-occurring mental or physical ailments.

On the other hand, outpatient treatment allows the patient to stay at home while receiving care.

Bottom Line: Find Professional Help For Seniors in West Palm Beach

Watching a parent or grandparent struggle with alcohol or substance abuse can be difficult. If you’re exactly in that situation, know that recovery is possible and help is close and always available.

Allure Detox is a trusted provider of alcohol and drug rehab in West Palm Beach. We offer personalized treatment programs designed to match the patient’s age, health, and unique situation.

Call us and discover how we can help!