ABSTRACT
substance use among older adults is on the rise, with statistics indicating this to be a growing health problem. Brain changes in the reward center of the brain that naturally occur with aging are offered as one source of these statistics. Aging is generally associated with increased prevalence of chronic disease, disability, and death, and therefore a public health goal for older adults is to maintain health, independence, and function. Psychiatric- mental health nurses are uniquely positioned to assist older adults in achievement of these goals through health assessment and promotion. The use of client-centered counseling approaches that recognize the older adult's developmental need for autonomy and choice in decision making have been shown to be effective in increasing motivation in this adult population. (journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 510), 15-20 )
a dramatic increase in the number of adults who will meet the retirement milestone is projected for the time frame between 2010 and 2030 (federal interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2012). By 2030, the number of older adults turning 65 is projected to be twice as large as the number who turned 65 in 2000, reflecting a growth in population from 35 to 72 million. Older adults will represent approximately 20% of the total U.S. population by 2030(Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2012). As individuals mature through young adulthood into adulthood, substance use generally declines. However, current research reflects relatively higher rates of substance use, including nonmedical use of prescription drugs, among those of the Baby Boomer generation(born between 1946 and 1964 when compared to prior generations(Blank, 2009). If this older population continues to use substances at the current rate, health care providers will face many challenges. Until recently, little attention in health policy or practice was given to substance and tobacco use in older adults. The focus of this article is to examine contributing factors that support substance use and abuse among older adults and evaluate evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches for psychiatric nurses. Evidence indicates that positive behavior change, even late in life, can result in improved quality of life(American Lung Association, 2010)
BACKGROUND
Current data collected on substance use in older adults are limited to treatment admissions for hospital and emergency department(ED) visits and survey data. Survey data response rate from this cohort is low, and survey instruments utilized may not capture the true picture of substance use. However, data that are available reflect that treatment admissions for individuals 50 and older increased from 6.6% of all hospital admissions in 1992 to 12.7% in 2009. Alcohol-related admissions of older adults with co-occurring psychiatric problems tripled during this same time period. Also within this time frame, older adults who reported an increase in alcohol use in combination with drug use grew from 12% to 42% (Blank, 2009).
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 2007 to 2009 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health estimated 4.8 million(5.2%) adults 50 and older had used an illicit drug in the past year(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services[USDHHS], 2011). Of the 2.2 million adults 50 and older who used illicit drugs in the past month, 54% used only marijuana; 28% used only prescription drugs in a nonmedical fashion and 17% used a different illicit drug(e.g., cocaine) (USDHHS, 2010a). Statistics for ED visits by older adults (50 and older) associated with illicit drug use were estimated at 118,495. Cocaine was the most commonly reported (63%), followed by heroin(26.5%) marijuana(18.5%) and stimulants(5.3%). Nearly one third(33.1%) of these ED visits also involved alcohol(USDHHS, 2010a). Among individuals 50 and older, alcohol is the most commonly used substance(USDHHS 2010a)
For those diagnosed as alcohol dependent, it is estimated that approximately 80% are tobacco users. Tobacco use is strongly associated with alcohol and illicit drug use. Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Each year in the United States, more than 400,000 people die from tobacco caused disease, and another 50,000 die from exposure to second-hand smoke making it the leading cause of preventable death(American Lung Association, 2010). In 2010, an estimated 45.3 million Americans older than 19 smoked, with 21.1% of adults ages 45 to 64 and 10% of adults 65 and older among these smokers(Centers for Dis ease Control and Prevention[CDC], 2010). Older adults who continue to smoke have smoked longer(up to 40 years or more) and tend to be heavier smokers(compared to younger smokers) and are less likely to believe that their smoking presents a health risk. Older smokers have lower quit rates than their younger peers, contributing to their eventual death from tobacco related chronic disease. Long-term smokers, who have a strong urge to smoke according to the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence, are also likely to have a strong dependence on alcohol(John et al., 2003). Smokers who are alcohol dependent die from smoking-related diseases more often than alcohol-related diseases(Andrews Heath, & Graham Garcia, 2004; Wil liams& Ziedonis, 2004).
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Several factors contribute to and support substance use and abuse among older adults. There is increased vulnerability to substance use with aging related to chronic health problems depression, and changes in brain reward mechanisms.
Chronic Health Problems
As adults reach age 50, they may begin to experience chronic pain associated with advancing age. Statistics from the National Institute on Aging sponsored Health and Retirement Survey of more than 20,000 Americans indicate that those ages 54 to 59 report the highest level of pain and more chronic health, drinking, and psychiatric problems than those surveyed from earlier cohorts(National Institute on Aging, 2007). As a person ages, his or her body cannot process alcohol in the same way it had when they were younger. To complicate matters, alcohol is often taken in combination with another substance. A complex history of prescription and non-prescription drug use to deal with medical issues combined with new life stresses(e.g., loss of a loved one, retirement) can trigger late onset abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
Depression
It is estimated that 15.7% of adults 50 and older report a lifetime diagnosis of depression and 10.6% report a lifetime diagnosis of anxiety. In particular, the high comorbidity of alcohol use disorders and depression is well established(Satre, Sterling, Mackin, & Weisner, 2011). Older adults, especially those ages 50 to 60, report higher rates of depression when compared with younger and older cohorts. Because of their disposition for depression, they are more likely to use alcohol and drugs and misuse prescription medication(Satre et al., 2011).
Major depressive disorder is leading cause of death in the United States and around the world. Suicide rates for men are highest among those 75 and older(rate 35.7 per 100,000), with non- Hispanic white men 85 and older most likely to die by suicide(CDC, 2012) Women, in particular, seem to be more affected by negative mood states and may smoke to alleviate affective discomfort. Increased depression seems to increase women's vulnerability for alcohol use disorders across all age groups(Tait, French, Burns, & Anstey, 2012