Substance Abuse and Violence Among the Elderly

Alcohol abuse in older adults is mainly due to those who have been using or abusing alcohol over a long period of time. Others who become alcoholics later in life could be because of negative transitions in their lives, like losing their independence and freedom due to serious health issues or having to move to a nursing facility, the loss of loved ones, or isolation, all of which can bring about stressors that a person maybe unable to cope with. Women with drinking problems tend to admit to more negative life experiences than heavy male drinkers.

Prescription drug addiction could be due to over prescribing by health professionals or a lack of patient care in nursing homes. As far as illicit drug use, I tend to believe the only illicit drug older people may use is marijuana for health problems. Is that an addiction or a necessity? Well, since it is a drug that has addictive qualities, it can be looked at as a necessary addiction.

As far as violence and substance abuse among the elderly, it is very uncommon. The more important problem is elderly abuse - abuse of older adults by those in charge of their care, like health care professionals in nursing homes. There is some abuse noted by adult children, however, this is a small percentage, between 4-5%, compared to 58% by spouses. However, the data on abuse in nursing homes or facilities is vague but I believe this is where the big problem is among elderly abuse.

For some reason, this type of abuse is overlooked and it is underreported because the elderly fail to report it, probably because they feel no one will believe them or do anything about. Plus, where else can many of them go? So, they feel helpless. How many older adults are actually afraid to admit abuse by nursing home caregivers for fear that they have no where else to go and no one to turn to. There is very little research regarding substance abuse, violence, and the elderly, probably because not much violence occurs because of substance abuse by the elderly.

Violent crimes are not common at all by the elderly, just against the elderly. Substance abuse, on the other hand, can be a lifelong problem among the elderly or a recent problem caused by a number of adverse conditions. Substance abuse, mainly alcohol abuse, among the elderly can be seen as avoiding stressful, negative issues that have occurred throughout one's life or because of recent issues as mentioned before. There should be much more research done on elderly abuse that occurs in nursing homes and by care providers.