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(Health-NewsWire.Net, May 16, 2015 ) New York, NY -- According to a recent report issued by U.S. News on May 13th, 2015. there is an 'invisible epidemic' ongoing in which older adults, aged 60 and over, are developing alcohol and prescription drug problems.
"It's definitely an area in need of more understanding," says Dr. Alison Moore, a professor in the medicine and psychiatry departments at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine.
It is very clear that substance abuse and addiction is a serious issue among young adults and teens, however this issue goes overlooked and unnoticed in older adults. However, the issue of drug and alcohol abuse in older adults is relevant.
The reasons behind excessive drinking and prescription drug abuse in older men and women can often be unique and be a result of dramatic life changes. For example, some may turn to alcohol to relieve themselves of grief after losing a spouse or their struggle with feelings of loneliness. Others may use alcohol after retirement as a result of boredom due to their days being emptier.
Identifying alcoholism in older adults tends to be a difficult challenge for psychiatrists. Doctors often mistake the symptoms associated with alcohol abuse with other common health issues in older adults such as dementia, diabetes, or depression.
Experts say that risky drinking for older adults is characterized by consuming more than seven drinks in a week or consuming more than three drinks in a single day. Medical experts recommend that men and women who are legally able to drink should limit their alcoholic beverage intake. Men should limit their drinks to no more than 2 a day, and women should consume no more than one drink per day.
The mixing of prescription drugs and alcohol is also very common among older people can be particularly very dangerous, putting these individuals at an increased risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and other health conditions. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., 4 out 0f 5 seniors who seek treatment for substance abuse have a problem with alcohol and not drinking.
Dr. Nicholas Pace, a National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. board member and professor at New York University School of Medicine expressed his concern about the state of alcohol abuse in our society. "We live in a society that promotes the heavy use of alcohol, especially when it comes to stress. If you want to relax, you should have a drink; if you want to sleep, you should have a drink' - by the way, these are things you should not do."
A medical associate from Drug and Alcohol Rehab New York comments "Substance abuse in older adults is definitely an overlooked issue. If you think about it, their circumstances are more likely to make them want to turn to alcohol. Many people use alcohol to alleviate stress and to cope with life's stressors, both young and old. People should stop turning a blind eye to older adults abusing prescription drugs and alcohol. Older people can recover just as well as older people, you're never too old to make life changes."
Drug and Alcohol Rehab New York is a leading addiction treatment center offering alcohol rehab in new York, NY. The center specializes in providing recovering addicts with comprehensive services which have been innovatively designed to treat addiction on all levels. The facility is medically monitored and supervised 24/7 providing clients with a safe and distraction free environment to recover in.
To gain additional information about the addiction and recovery treatment services offered at Drug and Alcohol Rehab New York visit their website online at http://drugandalcoholrehabnewyork.org/ or call (347) 767-5588.
About Drug and Alcohol Rehab New York:
Drug and Alcohol Rehab New York is a drug and alcohol rehab center in New York, NY dedicated to helping recovering addicts achieve a complete and long lasting recovery from addiction. Clients have the opportunity to recover in luxury at Drug and Alcohol Rehab New York's luxurious state of the art facility.
Drug and Alcohol Rehab New York
Drug and Alcohol Rehab Drug and Alcohol Rehab
(347) 767-5588.
info@drugandalcoholrehabnewyork.org
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