SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN LATER LIFE

Substance use disorders (SUDs) among older persons are among the fastest growing health problems in the United States and Europe. The number of older persons is projected to exceed 72.1 million persons by 2030, following a trend of general population growth in the mid-1940s to 1960s. The generation, known as “baby boomers,” who refashioned drug use during their 20-30s, are increasingly continuing drug habits into later life. This presentation seeks to review the current trends and literature on this topic. These evaluated studies and documents together suggest that older individuals are using illicit drugs and meeting criteria for SUDs at higher rates than previous geriatric cohorts resulting in substantial negative impacts on medical and psychiatric conditions. These findings represent a novel trend since previous cohorts of older individuals were thought to rarely use illicit substances. Current treatment models are inadequate to address the new wave of older individuals with SUDs. The fields of geriatrics, addiction, and geriatric psychiatry must work together to establish comprehensive care models and treatment modalities for addressing this emerging public health concern.