The glass is half empty

They raise their glasses to make a toast to a happy life and good health, but as the champagne bubbles pop, a sinister secret fizzles deep.

While alcohol and drug abuse among the elderly is not new, the latest statistics shows the problem continues to escalate at an alarming rate, but very little is still done to counter the issue.

The Australian Drug Foundation hosted an alcohol seminar for older people yesterday (Monday 5 September 2011) which examined the issues associated with older people and drug use. The seminar followed a statement released by the foundation which indicated people over the age of 60 years are more likely to consume alcohol daily than any other age group.

With 15% of older Australians drinking on a daily basis, alcohol is said to be the most commonly misused drug among people over the age of 60 years.

Concerned about the growing trend is Australian Drug Foundation chief executive, John Rogerson, who said the lack of understanding about the harms associated with alcohol, especially when mixed with prescription medication, was worrying.

With an increase in Victorian hospital admissions and ambulance attendance rates in older people for alcohol-related issues, Mr Rogerson said alcohol had “long been a part of our culture”.

“Older people are often more socially isolated and less likely to ask for help… unfortunately, life-time daily drinkers are now experiencing harms associated with alcohol such as acquired brain injury, liver failure and mental health issues as they age,” he said.

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) president, Simon Ruth, told DPS eNews governments need to expand drug and alcohol treatments for older adults, and marketing and education strategies need to be in place to “visually show [older adults] what substance abuse problems look like, and for them to understand that help is available”.

“Older people account for less than 1% of VAADA members when really, they should be accounting for about 25%,” Mr Ruth said.

“We suspect there are not enough services useful to older adults with alcohol and drug problems because they have much more complex medical needs,” he claimed.

Mr Ruth said the association treats 80-year-olds as though they are counselling people who are 20 years of age or younger.

“The last thing an 80-year-old drinker needs is to sit among a group of teen heroin users and share their problems,” Mr Ruth says. “Older addicts do not binge drink, rather they drink every day and throughout the day…older people have very different issues,” he added.

According to Mr Ruth, GPs and specialists need to work closely to ensure they are educated on how to treat older adults with alcohol problems, as quite often this age group takes medications which can have adverse effects when mixed with alcohol.

The stigma associated with alcohol and drug problems in older adults has long been known.

“They will often feel quite embarrassed after having lived a full and happy life and now may feel ashamed that they have resorted to a life as an addict,” Mr Ruth said.

The “worrying” data has forced VAADA to call for a pilot project to establish treatments in Victoria; helping to ensure older adults with substance abuse problems are not overlooked.

“The key here is not to abandon youth-targeted services, but to resource and equip services to target older alcohol and drug users, with programs that suit their needs and encourage them to seek and receive treatment,” Mr Ruth said.

Do you agree that there is not enough help available to older adults struggling with drug and alcohol abuse? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.