The Elderlys Silent Addiction

The Elderlys Silent Addiction

There is a common misconception that alcohol abuse and drug addiction is uncommon in older people. The hard truth is that there are elderly men and women caught in the grips of addiction. There is a general lack of awareness for elderly adults that struggle with addiction. Even physicians often overlook the signs that an older person is struggling with the disease off addiction. Elderly addiction is not a new problem but unfortunately it is an issue that is growing rapidly. Individuals may have been in the grips of their addiction for years or they may have turned to addiction as a means to help them cope with issues with grief or financial instability. For some older adults an addiction to drugs can start when they are prescribed prescription medications whether they are painkillers or anti-anxiety medications. There are drug and alcohol rehab programs that will put together an individualized treatment plan that cater to an elderly person who is struggling with substance abuse issues. The first step for an elderly person to get sober is to go through a medically supervised detox. After detox is complete it is necessary to go through an addiction treatment program where clients work in very close proximity with therapists and certified addiction professionals. No matter how old an individual may be or how long they have been abusing alcohol or drugs it is never too late to overcome addiction. Quality addiction treatment for the elderly should include a medically supervised detoxification, individual therapy, group therapy, and an individualized aftercare program.