Study Says Older Addicts Prefer Heroin
Teen drug and alcohol addiction is often the focus of discussions on heroin abuse, but drug addicts and drug abusers over the age of 50 number around 1.7 million in the United States, and that number is expected to rise to 4.4 million by the year 2020. Many addicts over the age of 40 say that heroin is their drug of choice and ultimately seek heroin rehab to help them break free from the drug. What does the study report, what are the expectations for the future and how can we fight this problem effectively?
Heroin Addiction Among Those Over 40: The Study
A study done by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction explored the issue and determined that the trend of heroin addiction in over-40 addicts would likely continue and that there would be a heavy burden on the healthcare system as a result.
The Health Research Board reports that over a 10-year period, cases of heroin addiction in those over the age of 40 increased annually, rising from 3 percent in 1998 to 9 percent in 2008. The group with the biggest rise was the 40 to 49 year old age group; they saw an increase from 3 percent in 1998 to 8 percent in 2008. Among those reporting addiction issues between the ages of 50 and 59, heroin again was named as the most common drug of choice.
Treating Drug Addiction in Retirees
Over the age of 60, however, the drug of choice changed: heroin was replaced with prescription painkillers and prescription tranquilizers. Unfortunately -but not surprisingly -high rates of illness was reported in proportion to the high rates of drug addiction and abuse. The most common health problems were mental health issues like paranoia and mood swings, heart disease, respiratory problems, diabetes, hepatitis and malnutrition. The older drug users also reported feeling isolated and lonely.
Identifying drug and alcohol addiction can become particularly touchy during this period, because many family members do not spend a significant enough amount of time around the older people in their family to identify addiction. Addressing the issue can be embarrassing as well, and with so many prescriptions to fight the regular ills that plague older age, it’s easy for the addict to brush off concerns by saying that the supposed signs of addiction are nothing more than side effects.
Finding Heroin Rehab and Prescription Drug Rehab for Older Adults
Many adults over the age of 40 feel hopeless when facing their heroin addiction or prescription drug addiction. They’ve lived so long actively feeding their addiction that they don’t know how to create another life for themselves and feel like it’s too late to make any real changes that will last.
It is never too late to seek heroin addiction treatment. A number of people have built successful new lives for themselves and inspired countless others on their path. No matter how old you are, if you are living with an addiction, getting help is just as important for you as it is for anyone else: don’t throw the rest of your life away. Call for help now.
