Older Adult Prevention

TIP 26: Researchers are only beginning to realize the pervasiveness of substance abuse among people age 60 and older. Until relatively recently, alcohol and prescription drug misuse, which affects as many as 17 percent of older adults, was not discussed in either the substance abuse or the gerontological literature...read more.

From SAMHSA. Older adults are uniquely vulnerable to substance use disorders due to a variety of biological, psychological, and social changes associated with aging. Older adults have an increased risk for misuse and abuse of medications, as they use a higher number of prescription and over-the-counter medications compared to younger adults...Read More