How are Older Adults impacted by Substance Use?

Nov 12 - Written by Lee Ables and Sarah Duval

This blog post is part one of a series that will cover different topics related to drug use and addiction, also known as substance use disorder, as it pertains to older adults. CELJ has received funding from the opioid settlements to work with adults ages 50 and older who have been impacted by drug use. The Substance Use Awareness and Advocacy Program for Older Adults seeks to provide education, outreach, and civil legal representation for this population. We will explore these topics in an informative and compassionate manner and intend to be a continued resource for the community no matter where an individual may be on their journey with substance use. This funding has been made possible through the hard work and dedication of many to hold pharmaceutical companies responsible for the hand they have played in the opioid crisis. We commemorate the lives that have been lost due to this crisis as we work together to put an end to the continued harm inflicted on our community. With this goal in mind, part one of this series aims to dispel some of the myths around drug use and offer resources so that individuals who may be experiencing this can make informed decisions.

MYTH: Drug use and substance use disorders only impact young people, and they eventually grow out of it.  

 The first myth we will debunk deals with who can be impacted by substance use disorder.  There is a common misconception that drug use is a young person's issue; but the reality is that anyone, of any age, can be impacted by the risks associated with drug use.  

 In fact, older adults in Erie County account for some of the highest numbers of overdose deaths.   According to the Erie County Department of Health the age demographic with the highest overdose deaths is 50–59-year-olds, and a close third is adults ages 60-69. With this data in mind, expanding our understanding of substance use is essential to putting an end to this myth and the harm it perpetuates.  

 As we age, our bodies and the ways in which they function change over time, putting older adults who are using substances at a potentially higher risk for health complications, overdose and death. Substance tolerance adapts over time as well, with age and depending on how long a person has been using drugs it is important to know that there are several factors that will impact how drugs metabolize in a person’s system. Older adults may not be able to tolerate substances the same way that they could when they were younger.  With aging comes the likelihood of overall increased health risks, being aware of how prescribed medications may interact with additional drug use is extremely important to lower the risk of experiencing unpredictable and unsafe outcomes, including overdose. Detecting or diagnosing substance use disorder in older adults also poses its challenges.  Due in part to bias, professionals may be quick to attribute symptoms of substance use to something else related to age.  

 When we only think of drug use as a young person’s issue, we neglect the realities of what it means and looks like to be a person who uses drugs.  

Older adults deserve to make informed decisions around their drug use, understanding the risks associated and how to implement safety measures with wherever they may be in their drug use journey can be lifesaving.  If you or someone you know is looking for resources or support, the local Addiction Hotline can be reached at 716-831-7007, Never Use Alone can be reached at 877-696-1996 and is an Overdose Prevention Lifeline, or you can reach out to CELJ for non-emergency information at 716-853-3087.