Senior Citizens

Senior Citizens

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers For Seniors

A growing number of senior citizens are struggling with various addictions, including alcohol and drug addiction. Drug rehab programs that cater to the senior citizen population should also include good case management services because this population may lack social supports and be in need of home services after discharge.

If you are struggling with addiction, call Recovery Connection and let one of our trained coordinators help you find a quality treatment program. Call 866-812-8231 and get the help you need.

Senior Citizen Drug Abuse and Addiction

 

senior-citizen-drug-rehab
Senior Citizen in Drug Rehab

 

Millions of senior citizens living in the United States are struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction. The senior citizen drug abuse and addiction problem is more likely to be related to prescription drug addiction, rather than a street drug addiction. However, both types of addiction, as well as senior citizen alcoholism, are present in large numbers.

Senior citizen substance abuse is not a new problem. Elderly people may live alone, concealing their addiction from family and friends. Their addiction may be compounded with psychiatric disorders such as depression, or medical conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Other factors contributing to senior citizen drug abuse and addiction:

  • Retirement
  • Death of a loved one
  • Grief
  • Financial difficulties
  • Loneliness
  • Physical limitations
  • Cognitive difficulties
  • Insomnia
  • Pain

The family or medical provider may believe that the senior citizen who is addicted to drugs or alcohol is too old and that getting treatment won't make a difference. Quality of life is important for everyone, including the senior citizen and geriatric population. On a positive note, there are drug rehab centers and alcohol rehab centers that provide senior citizens with the specific treatment that they require.

Surprisingly, senior drug addiction programs are increasingly treating patients 55-80 years of age struggling with heroinand cocaine addiction, while other seniors are dealing with prescription drug addiction and alcoholism.

If you are taking more medication than you should, Recovery Connection coordinators can help you find a senior citizen program to address your needs. Call 866-812-8231 and stop the progression of your addiction.

Senior Citizen Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment

There are drug rehab programs that specialize in senior citizen drug and alcohol abuse treatment. Programs of this nature should have medical and clinical staff certified in addiction medicine as well as general geriatric care and psychiatry.

Types of staff should include:

  • Registered nurses
  • Physicians
  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Addiction counselors
  • Fitness and recreation specialists
  • Case managers
  • Nutritionists

These professionals help treat both the physical and emotional problems of drug or alcohol dependence while addressing the underlying issues specific to elderly people.

Specific treatment approaches for the elderly population should include:

  • Case management services to link to appropriate medical, psychiatric and social resources after discharge
  • Building a more extensive social network
  • Age-appropriate content of treatment, at a speed that allows the person to assimilate the information
  • Development of coping strategies that allow one to deal with grief, loss, depression and loneliness
  • Non-confrontational treatment for both the patient and the family members
  • Individualized senior treatment program

Addiction treatment for seniors and the geriatric population should begin in an inpatient medical detox with 24-hour nursing and a full complement of medical services. The medical director and psychiatrist should be licensed and trained in addiction medicine with expertise in the medical and psychiatric needs of the senior and geriatric population.

Aftercare services are of great importance to a lasting recovery for those struggling with senior citizen drug addiction. Issues such as transportation to and from appointments and finding meaningful ways to fill the day need to be handled before discharge.

Call Recovery Connection at 866-812-8231 and let us help you find the best drug rehab that specializes in helping senior citizens today!

Looking For Treatment?

If you or someone you know needs senior citizen drug rehab, call Recovery Connection for immediate help at 866-812-8231

24/7 all conversations are confidential

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