Senior Addiction Treatment Program in California
As reported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol and prescription drug misuse impacts as many as 17% of adults over the age of 60. This is largely attributed to a lack of awareness, insufficient research data, and hurried medical consultations, which often lead healthcare professionals to overlook the diagnosis of substance abuse in older adults and the elderly.
Often, minority communities are overlooked when it comes to topics such as addiction recovery and mental healthcare. We stress the importance of people of all ages having access to proper treatment. At Laguna Shores Recovery’s rehab for seniors in Dana Point, California, we exert our greatest efforts to provide elderly individuals with superior addiction recovery services.
Substance abuse among older adults and/or the elderly is generally categorized into two main types: those who have been misusing drugs and/or alcohol for an extended period and have reached the age of 65, and those who have developed addictions later in life. Bearing that in mind, here are some of the many reasons why the senior population battles with substance abuse.
Sadly, many retirement-age groups don’t receive a lot of social attention from their family members. This frequently leads to a deep sense of loneliness that can feel unbearable, turning them to substance use. This temporary exhilaration can feel like their only escape from a sad and lonely reality. We understand the difficulty of senior loneliness and strive to be the companions they need throughout the rehab process. Reach out to us to finally get the attention and respect you deserve.
Veterans who served in our armed forces and world wars often have underlying post-traumatic stress disorder from their service. Many times, this leads to the acquisition of a substance abuse habit that carries over into their civilian life. Most of these substance abuse problems stem from these untreated PTSD roots. In these cases, dual-diagnosis therapy can help treat the underlying mental health problem and addiction battle simultaneously.
People who battle chronic pain require over-the-counter medications to counteract and relieve these pains. Unfortunately, many of these prescriptions pose a risk due to their highly addictive properties. Therefore, as chronic pain persists, so do these prolonged prescription approvals. In turn, physical dependency on these medications is a very common occurrence.
Seniors have faced it all. Unfortunately, that means many times they’ve witnessed close friends, family members, and spouses pass away. This heartache compounds into unbearable emotional turmoil that leads many to substance use. If left untreated, addiction stemming from a broken heart leads most into a downward spiral to developing mental health problems like depression and suicidal tendencies.
It can be extremely difficult to be self-motivated or care about much of anything for elderly individuals struggling with depression. This lack of motivation and personal upkeep often stems from having very little company, leaving them to fend for themselves. Not only is this a lonely place to be. It can be a dangerous place to be if they’ve acquired an addiction problem unbeknownst to their friends and family.
Causes Of Substance Abuse In Older Adults Or The Elderly
This occurs because health challenges often impose an emotional burden on those affected. Consequently, individuals may resort to substance abuse as a means to “cope” with the pressures associated with aging or deteriorating health.
Common causes contributing to substance abuse among older adults and the elderly include, but are not limited to:
- Insomnia
- Retirement
- A reduction in family interactions or interpersonal conflicts
- Admission to a rehabilitation facility or nursing home
- The death of a loved one (spouse, family member, friend, or even a pet)
- Deterioration of physical and/or mental health due to significant surgeries, memory impairment, depression, etc.
- Decreased income coupled with heightened financial obligations (expenses for medications and more frequent medical appointments)
Regrettably, such circumstances can prompt behaviors associated with substance abuse, which frequently culminate in addiction, necessitating detoxification or further addiction treatment.
Be Brave. Get Help.
Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use in Older Adults
- Insomnia or changes in sleeping habits
- Memory loss or problems
- Unexplained bruises
- Irritability
- Sadness and/or depression
- Changes in eating habits
- Unexplained chronic pain
- Self-isolating or isolation
- Lack of hygiene
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Less communication with friends and/or loved ones
As we age, it’s normal to become forgetful. Yet, substance misuse and abuse will magnify these stretches of forgetfulness. For example, an older adult with an SUD may begin to forget planned meetings, activities, or other important family events. This dangerous sign could lead to the onset of dementia and other memory problems if not dealt with swiftly.
Substance use and abuse’s impacts on the central nervous system are well-documented in all age groups. Although these impacts are usually exacerbated in older adults, resulting in even more severe involuntary tremors throughout the body. If you notice any such signs of uncharacteristic body shakes, seek immediate medical assessment for a proper diagnosis.
Drug use, especially in older adults, induces serious damage to vital organs like the liver, kidneys, and heart. This damage results in yellow tinting in the whites of your eyes. Without medical attention, these impacts will worsen at an accelerated rate, resulting in fatal consequences. Our unparalleled rehab for seniors can minimize these damaging impacts and help reverse some of the consequences.
The Dangers Of Substance Abuse In Older Adults
Benzodiazepines, commonly referred to as benzos, are frequently prescribed for the management of pain, insomnia, or anxiety. These medications rank among the most hazardous prescriptions for older adults and the elderly. This is primarily attributed to their high potential for addiction. Regrettably, the rate of addiction to benzodiazepines among older adults and the elderly escalates significantly each year.
What are the Barriers for Seniors Seeking Treatment?
- Financial limitations (inability to afford treatment)
- Geographic isolation (absence of family support)
- Stigma and embarrassment regarding substance use and/or abuse
- Transportation issues (difficulties with or inability to drive safely)
- Greater accessibility to existing programs such as primary care offices, emergency rooms, senior centers, and retirement communities.
Fortunately, you won’t find any of the following barricades in our personalized treatment programs.
Unfortunately, there are very few rehab for seniors. Most addiction treatment programs are geared towards young adults to middle-aged individuals, leaving seniors out of getting crucial senior-centered personalized therapy. We make the utmost provisions to provide the most personalized, high-quality rehab for seniors in the country. Connect with us now to choose from the senior-centered plethora of unparalleled quality care programs.
Unfortunately, many programs leave out addiction clauses for retirement-aged people needing substance rehab. Thankfully, our flexible insurance verification parameters provide the most optimal benefits for you to get top-notch therapy at a price you can afford. Our insurance experts coordinate directly with a wide range of coverage providers and personal physicians to get everything you need, when you need it. All this without breaking the bank.
As common as it is for seniors to receive painkillers and other similar prescriptions, these addiction battles are easily hidden. This is especially the case for elderly individuals who live alone or have very few visitors. These concealed battles, especially in later years, are exceedingly dangerous for several potentially fatal health consequences.
A big barrier between seniors and addiction treatment lies in how easy it is to access over-the-counter drugs. That’s because many individuals, including seniors, have easy access to a variety of painkillers and other addictive medications. This not only creates a problem, but a definitive rehab barrier that encourages substance use through continually renewed prescriptions.
Substances Commonly Abused by Seniors
People overlook alcohol as a real problem due to its public legality. That doesn’t make it any less of an addictive substance than other drugs. To elaborate, nearly thirteen percent of adults aged sixty and above have a binge drinking problem. The CDC further concludes that in recent years, individuals aged 65 and older account for almost forty percent of annually reported alcohol-related deaths.
As cited earlier, older adults have easier access to a wide range of painkillers and other addictive medications. While these medications are often necessary to abate symptoms and treat conditions, they can have addictive consequences. The worst part is that many of the prescriptions are easily renewable given the age and necessities of older adults. If you suspect a loved one may be addicted to prescription medications, seek immediate therapeutic help.
Marijuana is becoming widely accepted as a social drug as its legality continues to increase at the state level. Unfortunately, these recreational legalities put users under the false belief that it is not an addictive substance. On the contrary, marijuana’s psychedelic effects can have adverse impacts on your mind and body. This makes people who frequently use marijuana susceptible to withdrawal symptoms like tremors, irritability, and other cravings. These socially acceptable factors also make retirement-aged individuals more susceptible to acquiring a marijuana addiction habit.
Several factors play a crucial role in determining whether an older adult or elderly individual will need treatment, which may encompass:
- Suicidal ideation
- A significant risk of relapse
- Co-occurring disorders
- Insufficient social support at home
- Multiple addictions (including various drugs and/or alcohol)
- The potential for withdrawal symptoms, such as delirium or seizures
- Previous unsuccessful attempts at outpatient substance abuse treatment
- Past experiences with detoxification or withdrawal challenges and/or complications
- Serious medical conditions necessitating ongoing care and/or monitoring, or intravenous drug administration (e.g., diabetes)
As detoxification represents the initial phase of a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program for older adults or elderly individuals, specialists will offer referrals to suitable substance abuse treatment programs that are essential for aiding older adults or elderly individuals in maintaining sobriety after completing treatment.
Substance Abuse Treatment For Older Adults And The Elderly
It is also advisable to explore substance abuse programs that concentrate on this specific type of addiction and provide case management services. The unfortunate reality is that many individuals over the age of 65 lack the necessary support systems to achieve sobriety successfully.
Case management services will provide older adults with direct access to social, psychiatric, and medical resources. These resources can help them maintain a healthier lifestyle after completing substance abuse treatment. Some recommended and effective treatment methods for substance abuse among older adults and the elderly include, but are not limited to:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Case Management and/or community-based outreach and services
Whether you are a young or older adult, all of our recovery programs are meticulously designed to be personalized to meet your needs. Bearing that in mind, we provide the following treatment services at our rehab for seniors in Orange County, CA:
- Detox programs: Senior-centered detox is especially important because older adults require very different approaches and tools to move beyond difficult withdrawal symptoms. Hence, our detox center is specifically engineered to alleviate these withdrawals and help them thrive throughout recovery.
- MAT detox: Medication-assisted treatment is a necessity for the majority of severe addiction cases. These non addictive medications are a key to not only overcoming withdrawal symptoms, but conquering the addiction itself.
- Residential treatment: We provide the most state-of-the-art residential treatment for older adults who need more hands-on care and monitoring. This ensures a thorough cleansing and rehab transition to help them flourish at every treatment level.
- Dual diagnosis treatment: This type of treatment is a must for seniors with multiple substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health conditions. Bear in mind that this treatment is only available for individuals with a professional diagnosis of multiple addictions or mental conditions.
- Aftercare program: No rehab for seniors is truly complete without an aftercare program. This helps all completers of rehab practically apply recovery lessons to their daily lives. Most importantly, it assesses whether they are truly ready to handle relapse temptations independently.
Matthew Beck B.A, M.A, LMFT 
