Newsletter Additional Information
Thank you for subscribing
This information will be used to better customize your experience and help inform future tools and features on our website.
As people age, their bodies become less capable of tolerating addictive substances and more susceptible to negative effects. For example, levels of drinking tolerated in early adulthood may lead to addiction among older adults. Older adults are also more likely to use addictive prescription medications such as pain killers and anti-anxiety drugs, which may pose additional risks or compound the risks of alcohol or other drug use.
Different life stages and circumstances present increased vulnerabilities for addiction and substance use. Doctors, other health care providers, employers, clergy and family members should be aware of the signs of addiction, medication misuse, and substance abuse throughout the human lifespan.
Adults may turn to addictive substances when coping with the stresses of child rearing, balancing a career with family and managing a household.
New risks for addiction and substance abuse may emerge for individuals in middle age who face financial pressures, divorce, the empty nest, personal or family illness, the economic and emotional stresses of caring for aging parents or the death of a parent or other loved one.
Older adults face additional life challenges that can lead to problems with addictive substances. Retirement, sudden or chronic illness, the loss of independent living, financial woes, the need to care for aging parents or grandchildren or the deaths of family members or friends can lead some older adults to engage in risky substance use.
References
This information will be used to better customize your experience and help inform future tools and features on our website.