Drug abuse seems to be growing everywhere. As much as the teens are addicted, there is a section of middle-aged people who are a part of this group. As hard it is to believe, the numbers in the mid-aged group tends to keep increasing by the day, as is evident from the demographics. The number of Americans who have become addicted between the age of 65 and 84 has gone up to a whopping 96%. So let’s understand the reasons why the elderly are getting inclined toward drug abuse:
- Availability of drugs
One major reason of the increase in the group size of addicts to such a huge number is the wide availability of drugs. There are illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine. While the other ones that are legal are called opiates, most of the elderly Americans are prescribed to one of the legal drugs in the form of painkillers. Thus, because of this kind of prescription, it is not hard for anyone to become an addict. - Stress factors Elderly Americans have turned to drugs like opiates because of increasing stress in their lives. This stress is particular to their age and situation in life. Increasing age comes with a lot of physical and mental injuries and because of this there is an increase in stress levels. And thus the result is turning to drugs and its abuse. These drugs are in the form of powerful painkillers because that helps them feel better.Adding to this misery, elders deal with a lot of issues like family or spouse or friends dying. Plus, they stay away from families in care homes. These reasons can make a person get into depression and self-medicating mode to feel happier again. They feel that this is the only therapy or gateway to happiness because the senses become numb and you cannot feel any sort of pain again. This is why rehabs have become so popular again because their programs are aimed at providing treatments and therapies to get you back to the real world. With so many drugs available, the elderly group is becoming more prone to drug abuse.
- An At-Risk Group
The elderly are becoming so vulnerable to drugs because of less involvement of the younger generation and the youth in their parents and grandparent’s’ lives. This is why so many people are turning depressed and lonely.The way out to such problems is that the youth should take charge and start looking after their elders. They should be more involved in their lives. This will lessen drug addiction.
