Addiction Treatment for Senior Citizens, Is It Available? Do I Need It?

It may be hard to imagine “grandma and grandpa” as drug addicts, but the reality is that if you decide to stereotype what you think an addict is – you may miss the warning signs coming from one of your loved ones. What you see in the media that defines a drug addict is often not really the case! Sometimes family members are blind to the signs of drug addiction simply because the person doesn’t really “fit the profile”. This happens all too often when senior citizens are involved.

It may really take you by surprise to know that studies have shown one-third of those who are abusing prescription drugs in the United States are over sixty-five years of age. This is not just happening in the US, but in others countries as well. Even in the UK, an overwhelming number of the elderly account for major numbers of those who are addicted to prescription drugs.

Why is it that senior citizens are at such risk for drug addiction? First of all, it is in large part due to the fact that seniors have access to healthcare benefits such as Medicare that also gives them easy access to drugs like painkillers. They can “doctor shop” and get all of the prescriptions they want often without detection.

Fortunately, addiction treatment for senior citizens is available. If the warning signs are there – treatment should be established as soon as possible. If the addiction is ignored, further health problems or even death could result. If you are unsure whether or not your loved one has fallen victim to drug addiction and happens to be a senior citizen, you should seek help right away. Drug treatment designed for senior citizens is offered at many treatment centers and will cater to their special needs.

During drug treatment, seniors will be given specialized care from addiction specialists who will help them keep their dignity. They will be around other senior citizens who are in the same situation, giving them the opportunity to make friends and form new bonds with others in the program that have the same goals. The treatment will promote a drug free lifestyle and help to create a sense of community that may have been lacking when the addiction happened.

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Tags: addiction treatment, baby boomers, senior citizens