Flinders: An
ageing population is increasingly using alcohol, illicit drugs and
prescription medicine means testing times lie ahead for alcohol and
other drug treatment services. Pr Ann Roche said
current international estimates indicating the number of older people
with alcohol and other drug problems, or requiring treatment for a
substance use disorder, will more than double from 2000 to 2020, are
likely to be reflected in Australia. In addition to the alcohol and drug treatment
issues, Pr Roche warned that a wide range of other physical and
mental health side effects which will also have to be dealt with.
“It’s not just about the numbers,” said
Professor Roche. “Older people’s bodies don’t deal with alcohol and
other drug use as well as younger people.
When older people seek treatment for their
problems they often also have a range of other physical and mental
health issues. This can complicate their care.
“There are three groups of older people who
have alcohol and other drug problems in later life. The first group we
call ‘the maintainers’, who have used substances for long periods of
time without getting into difficulties.
“As they age, this use catches up with them because their bodies can’t cope.
“Then there are the ‘reactors’ who start
problem use in older age in response to stressful events such as
bereavement, job loss, marital breakdown or social isolation.
“The third group, ‘the survivors’, have had substance use problems for a long time and have reached older age.
“We also expect to see older people seeking
treatment for different patterns of substance use problems, with an
increasing number needing help as a result of their use of illicit drugs
and prescribed medicines such as opioid pain killers and sedatives.”
Professor Roche said that these trends would
require significant changes to how Australia provides alcohol and drug
treatment services in the future.
Substance use problems among older
Australians, and their implications, are to be the focus of a national
Conference in Adelaide on 1 April 2015, at the Education Development
Centre, 4 Milner Street, Hindmarsh, South Australia.
The Grey Matters National Conference: Responding to Alcohol and other Drug Problems among Older Australians will feature nationally renowned speakers.