Aging & Health A to Z

Drug and Substance Abuse

Care & Treatment

Usually, a team approach is best. Your healthcare professional will help organize others to make sure that you have a professional available who knows about your needs. The team may include a nurse, social worker, psychotherapist or counselor. In fact, older adults tend to do even better than younger people in drug and alcohol treatment programs.  

Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Rational Recovery, or Narcotics Anonymous have excellent track records. Ask your healthcare team to suggest groups that would fit your needs. Some older individuals with medication addiction will choose to attend Alcoholics Anonymous rather than Narcotics Anonymous if the attendees at their local Narcotics Anonymous groups tend to be much younger. You should feel free to find the group that you feel most comfortable with to treat your addiction.  Finding a support group that you feel comfortable with is more important than which type of addiction the group focuses on. 

Non-Drug Therapies

Substance and Medication Abuse
Among the effective treatments that are part of a team approach are the following:

• Talk therapy (psychotherapy) with a trained supportive counselor
• Group therapy with a trained therapist
• Keeping a diary to record your patterns of use of the problem substance
• Residential care in a rehabilitation facility
• 12-step programs and other long-term programs (such as Alcoholics Anonymous)
• Programs to help you stop smoking. 

Tobacco Abuse (Cigarette, Cigar or Pipe Smoking)
If you are addicted to smoking, you have probably tried to quit many times. But another serious try is always worth it, even if you are among the very old. 

Let your healthcare professional know that you want to stop smoking. Together, you will take the following steps:

• Choose a date that suits you
• Obtain any needed medications
• Arrange a follow-up visit
• Educate yourself about smoking and the benefits of quitting
• Get involved in a support group or buddy system to help keep you motivated. 

Drug Treatment

Your treatment must meet your needs and lifestyle, and any special requirements you might have. Treatment options using medications may include: 

• Specialized drugs to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Slow tapering of the problem substance with drug substitutions as support
• Hospitalization until you are stabilized and detoxification is achieved (in cases of severe alcohol or substance abuse)
• Nutritional counseling, multivitamins and supplemental B vitamins (in cases of severe problem drinking)
• Antidepressants if necessary during withdrawal or detoxification 

Medications to Reduce Cravings
Some drugs can help reduce cravings for the addicted substance.  Some drugs, such as naltrexone, may help you stay away from alcohol. Methadone and other drugs have proved to be effective in older people who are trying to stay away from narcotics like oxycodone or morphine. Other types of medications may help, depending upon your particular circumstances. You may need a consultation with a professional who is trained in treating substance abuse (a psychiatrist or psychopharmacologist). 

Medications to Reduce Tobacco Dependence
Many people have had success in quitting smoking by using certain drugs in combination with program that help you change your behavior. These strategies include the use of:

• Nicotine patches, gum, or inhalers (e.g., electronic cigarettes)
• Bupropion
• Varenicline 

Monitoring 

Since recovery from alcohol and substance abuse is considered an ongoing process, your healthcare professional will want to make follow-up appointments to make sure that you are successfully avoiding your problem substance. For example, you may be at risk of “falling off the wagon” if there are new stresses in your life. Therefore, seeing your healthcare professional or social worker every three to six months after you have kicked your habit is a smart precaution. 

Updated: March 2012
Posted: March 2012