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The purpose of this paper is to determine the level of substance abuse in the elderly community. There is concern that as the population ages in the United States, there will be a significant increase in the number of older adults being treated for substance abuse problems. This paper seeks to understand the issues and concerns that are consequently involved with substance abuse among the elderly. There is no doubt that there is a prevalence of substance abuse throughout several age groups. To a certain extent, a society is faced with the reality of controlling substance abuse. Or allow it run rampant throughout the community. Often times, we hear and read about the level of substance abuse among teen, young adults and mid-aged adults. Alcohol, medications, illegal drugs, and over-the-counter medicines can be both abused and misused. It is a widespread belief that age plays a role in the level of influence that drugs and alcohol diminishes. As a person becomes older, drugs and alcohol is not as influential in their loves. This widespread belief has truth. However, it is important to understand that substance abuse is still prevalent in the elderly community. Drug use appears to negatively affect the health of the elderly at a higher rate than other populations (Benshoff & Koch, 2003). This may be a result of old age. So, it can be understood there is a biological effect of substance abuse among the elderly. The elderly are more susceptible to being admitted into the hospital for adverse effects of substances, while other populations of society are not. Benshoff and Koch asserts, “Intentional abuse of prescription medications to get high is thought to be rare, but over-use does occur among this population. Often this over... ... middle of paper ... ...in elderly emergency department patients. Journal of the American Geriatric Society (40):1236-1240 Atchley, R. C. (1997). Social forces and aging: An introduction to social gerontology (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadswortli. Benshoff, J. J., & Koch, D. (2003). Substance abuse and the elderly: Unique issues and concerns. Journal Of Rehabilitation, 69(2), 43. Kail, B., & DeLaRosa, M. (1998). Challenges to treating the elderly latino substance abuser: A not so hidden research agenda. Journal Of Gerontological Social Work, 30(1/2), 123-141. Mavandadi, S., Ten Have, T. R., Katz, I. R., Durai, U. B., Krahn, D. D., Llorente, M. D., & ... Oslin, D. W. (2007). Effect of Depression Treatment on Depressive Symptoms in Older Adulthood: The Moderating Role of Pain. Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, 55(2), 202-211. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01042.x
The National insitute on Alcohol and alcoholism. (2012, December). Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-abuse
Addiction to alcohol, drugs, and all other mind-altering substances has gripped society and torn families apart for as long as these substances have been around. As early as the 1700’s, certain doctors realized how alcoholism was affecting people and suggested alcoholism as a disease. This started a centuries long dispute as to whether addiction and alcoholism was a moral issue or a disease. Many people today believe that it is possible to just stop using mind-altering substances without any treatment and support. Many under privileged alcoholics and addicts find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get proper treatment, and they end up in jails, institutions, or unfortunately, dead.
One of the growing epidemics of young adults in the United States is the dependence and/or abuse of alcohol, which is commonly referred to as alcoholism. The condition is described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V, as an alcohol use disorder (AUD), a type of substance abuse disorder, which encompasses both alcohol abuse and dependence. More specifically AUD is defined as, “medical conditions that doctors can diagnose when a patient’s drinking causes distress or harm (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2007).” When the reliance or use of alcohol interferes with daily functioning, or causes greater harm to the one’s self, it can then be looked at as a disorder. According to the DSM-V, patients must exhibit at least two of the eleven criteria to meet the standard for AUD. Along with a list of eleven criteria, there are some common symptoms of alcoholism, or alcohol use disorders. These symptoms are cravings for alcohol, loss of being able to contain drinking, physical dependence and lastly a tolerance build-up (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2007). This is a very prevalent mental disorder among adults, but the major concern of this study is the development of AUDs in emerging adults, which are classified by the ages 18-25. According to one study, “18- to 25-year-olds had the highest prevalence of past-year alcohol abuse or dependence, with 19.8% of 18- to 25-year-olds meeting criteria for an AUD (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011).” The dependence and abuse of alcohol of this age group is alarming and has motivated researchers to search for underlying causes of the development of the disorder. Trocmè et al., 2010 previously indicated th...
To begin with, substance and addiction disorder has become an epidemic in society today, affecting family, work ethics, relationships, and values. The family system, broken in many ways and the results can be catastrophic or damaging to a family unit. To clarify, substance and addiction disorder onset crimes against family members/communities, child abuse, sexual misconduct domestic violence, prostitution, minor crimes, and behavior problems difficult for individuals to handle. Another key point, stages of addiction within the family system is denial, home treatment, chaos, and loss of control. “The belief of the family system is that addiction problems are the results of
Drugs are chemical substances that make your mind, mood, and body feel and act out of the ordinary. There are different types of drugs, some being legal and some being illegal. Some drugs, such as medication for colds and aches, can help ill people get well. Many of these drugs can be bought at the corner drug store and are safe if they are used appropriately. Other drugs that are more powerful are prescribed by a doctor. These include antibiotics, antipsychotics drugs and antidepressants. Some of the most dangerous and addictive drugs are illegal. The most commonly abused drugs include heroin, crack, cocaine, LSD, and ecstasy, and alcohol. Although it is legal for adults over the age of twenty-one, alcohol is the most abused drug in the world (Bancroft 16). There are five major drug and alcohol categories that are divided on how they affect the users’ bo...
The onset for substance dependence may occur at any moment in people’s life despite age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, level of education, social status, etc., but in many cases the use of alcohol and drugs are more frequent in men than it is in women, persons who are employed tend to consume less substance than those who are out of work, and people with low level of education have higher prevalence of engaging in drugs abuse than individuals with high school degree or greater; on the other hand, alcohol dependency does not show degree of difference between low or high level of
Substance abuse among teenagers and young adults continues to call for a national concern for a number of reasons, one of them being the impact of these illicit substances on their health immediately or in their later lives. This research will concentrate on the abuse of cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy. Reports from various agencies frequently describe drug users as severely impaired health wise, recent research suggests that these outcomes are not extremely severe as people thought (Edwards, 2004). A thorough review of present literature suggests that substance abuse can leave the users vulnerable to a number of health problems. Many of these problems however can be tackled with a diversity of interventions. The study suggests that the home setting or the societal bond of the individual may have a strong authority over his substance abuse than being judged individually (Horwood, 1997).
Ageism, a term used to assign negative labels to the elderly population has caused many of these older adults to internalize such stereotypes and thus, they have been less likely to seek out mental health and substance abuse care. Substance abuse, predominantly of alcohol, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications is a growing health problem among adults age 60 and older and is a major concern that the country is facing. Even though the number of older adults suffering from these substance disorders is increasing, the situation tends to be overlooked or misdiagnosed by health care professionals and thus, inadequate treatment has not been provided to this population. One contributing factor to why substance abuse among older adults remains underdiagnosed is because indications of substance abuse in older individuals sometimes imitate symptoms of other medical and psychological disorders common among this population such as depression, dementia, and diabetes (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2012).
National Household Survey on Drug Abuse: Main Findings 1994. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1996.
While media attention and public health initiatives largely focus on substance misuse in younger members of society, research suggests that substance abuse in older populations is under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated.
There are many populations at risks for alcohol and drug abuse. Adults transitioning from middle to later life is one population that is at risks more than ever for alcohol and drug misuse and abuse. It is believed that in years to come, there will be a great increase in numbers as it relates to the amount of adults who are misusing and abusing substances. The purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss the prevalence of substance misuse and abuse among older adults. Different treatment approaches and ways to advocate for this population will also be discussed in the text. This paper will also attempt to explain the factors correlated with the increased risk of substance misuse for this population. Research data will also be presented that explains the reasoning off all
Substance (including alcohol and drugs) misuse is a serious problem in the United States. It is likely that either someone misuses, or knows of someone who misuses substances. This is also true for the young adult population. According to Hingson, Heeren, Winter, and Wechsler's (2005) study, substance misuse may be one of the most serious health issues facing young adults. In their study, Hingson et al. (2005) noted that substance misuse is a major contributor to mortality (e.g., suicides), unintentional injuries (e.g., car accidents), and illnesses (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases due to unprotected sex) among young adults. Hingson, et al. and Pugh and Bry's (2007) studies found that young adults that were in college drank more heavily
Drug abuse is a widespread issue in the United States. Drugs can be abused in an assortment of various courses by individuals from each stroll of life. The greater part of us have been influenced by drug abuse either specifically or in a roundabout way. Drug abusers hurt themselves, and additionally their families and groups. Drug abuse takes a huge toll on our general public at numerous levels. The expense of drug abuse on our general public is galactic, monetarily as well as actually, inwardly, socially and professionally. Numerous individuals abuse drugs to manage ordinary life. Drug abuse causes different issues for nations and groups. Two noteworthy issues are medicinal impacts and wrongdoing. The medicinal and mental impacts are extremely
However, addiction affects older adults in major ways that affect their bodies. As Benshoff and Harrawood (2003) reported, “The presence of substances at higher concentration levels suggests that older adults may be significantly more susceptible to substance abuse problems at lower dosages. Drug reactions occur 3 to 7 times more in older people. The threshold for use and abuse is simply too high for the aging adult” (p. 46). As older adults have continually easier access to risky medications they run into the dangers of adverse reactions on their bodies, especially those prescribed for anxiety, pain, and insomnia. Aging makes the body more vulnerable to the effects of these drugs, which is dangerous,
Drug abuse has been a hot topic for our society due to how stimulants interfere with health, prosperity, and the lives of others in all nations. All drugs have the potential to be misapplied, whether obtained by prescription, over the counter, or illegally. Drug abuse is a despicable disease that affects many helpless people. Majority of those who are beset with this disease go untreated due to health insurance companies who neglect and discriminate this issue. As an outcome of missed opportunities of treatments, abusers become homeless, very ill, or even worst, death.