Alcohol abuse isn’t just a problem for those under 60. Alcohol and drug abuse, whether you are 25 years old or 75 years is often used to cope with grief, anxiety, depression or pain. Here’s what you should know about recognizing substance abuse in older adults and options on where to turn for help.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that 20-30% of people ages 75 to 85 have experienced drinking problems and according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2% of older adults in retirement communities use illicit drugs.  While the use of illegal drugs by older adults, such as marijuana appears to be low, it does occur.  Typically, older adults who currently use marijuana used it throughout their lives.

The abuse of medications to treat chronic illnesses or pain and the use of over-the-counter medications is difficult to identify in older adults.  On average, older adults take four to nine pills per day between their prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.  The overuse of prescribed medications or combining medications with alcohol or other controlled substances can lead to serious and often fatal consequences, such as:

It is vitally important that older adults be forthcoming with their medical team about all the medications they are taking, both prescribed and over-the-counter.  It is also imperative that they disclose the amount they are ingesting and their alcohol and drug intakes.   If an older adult becomes hospitalized and the medical team in the hospital does not know that he/she has a drug habit or alcohol problem, the withdrawal symptoms could be seen as anxiety, delirium or an adverse reaction to medication.

It is easy to confuse a substance abuse problem with age related issues.  The following are warning signs that can help families and friends determine if a loved one might have a substance abuse problem:

Unfortunately, health care providers often overlook substance abuse among older adults because they don’t know what to look for or they mistakenly assume that older adults cannot be successfully treated or they can’t imagine a sweet 80 year gray-haired grandmother is really a closet alcoholic. Loved ones, too, may excuse an older relative’s substance abuse as a result of grief or loss or a reaction to boredom-it difficult to discuss substance abuse with your parent and even more difficult to get them to treatment for the abuse.

The good news, however, is that once in treatment, older adults are more successful at getting and staying sober. Some might feel this might be their last chance to get it right, and they aren’t going to let themselves fail. Others are motivated by their children or grandchildren and by the desire to create a positive legacy for their family.

Typically older adults benefit the most from a treatment program that is geared toward their age group. They have different needs, different issues, and different ways of recovering than younger individuals. Like all of us, older adults relate better to others similar to them, and support groups and therapy sessions are often more beneficial when the participants are close in age.

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