Alcohol Addiction Treatment for Seniors
What is alcohol addiction treatment for seniors and how does it work?
Although alcohol abuse is often associated with younger people, it can also be prevalent among elderly populations. According to Johns Hopkins, elderly alcohol abuse is not only substantial, but also increasing. Because of this, finding the best elderly recovery program is imperative.
Older people may be at more at risk for substance abuse because they frequently suffer from one or more chronic illnesses. Due to this, many take alcohol to ease feelings of pain or depression. Often, their medications do not mix well together with alcohol intake, thus posing serious health risks.
For some senior citizens, elderly alcohol abuse is actually a continuation of patterns that developed years earlier. Substance abuse may develop as a form of trying to cope with the stress that can accompany the aging process. Unfortunately, substance abuse tends to worsen preexisting problems and create new ones.
Older individuals often have additional changes and stresses in regards to the way their bodies function that can increase the chances for substance abuse developing.
Alcohol present unique problems for the older adult population, negatively affecting both mental and physical health. As individuals age, physiological changes occur in the brain and body, making people more susceptible to, and less tolerant of, the effects of or alcohol.
Metabolism slows down, and medical complications may interfere with the way alcohol is broken down in the body. Substance abuse can increase the risk for falling and breaking bones, having suicidal tendencies, exacerbate memory loss and possible delirium, and heighten the odds for a negative or co-occurring disorder interaction.
Alcoholism intervention strategies are - more often than not - needed to help end elderly alcohol abuse. Older adults may not recognize the need for addiction treatment, which makes an addiction intervention vital. In many cases, the help of a trained professional is beneficial in the planning of alcoholism intervention strategies and in the actual process.
After a successful intervention, the person will be prepared to enter one of the programs that offer alcohol addiction treatment for seniors. There are a variety of facilities with programs made just for older adults. Those programs may offer medical detox, residential treatment, and/or outpatient treatment, as necessary.
As the need for elderly addiction and mental health treatment increases, more and more facilities are providing care options for alcohol addiction treatment for seniors. There are usually two main types of treatment programs: those that are general programs and contain all ages, and those that are age - or peer-specific and tailored to certain populations. Just as teenagers may have special needs and mitigating circumstances, so might the elderly population. Sometimes gender-specific programs may be beneficial also.
Generally speaking, it may suit someone better to be in an alcohol addiction treatment for seniors program with peers and other individuals in similar life circumstances. Since older adults may abuse substances for different reasons than younger ones, it may be beneficial to separate treatment programs for different peer groups.
Treatment options may vary depending on the level of care required and include:
-Preventative, education, and support services
-Medical detox
-Residential treatment
-Outpatient treatment
In addition, support groups are often an essential part of a substance abuse treatment program and may be especially helpful after a more intensive treatment plan, or a stay in a residential program, has ended.
Something that turns out to be helpful when discussing alcoholism intervention strategies, and then when choosing the right alcohol addiction treatment for seniors program, is that adults over the age of 65 are enrolled in the federal Medicare insurance program.
The benefits available by Medicare may provide coverage for their substance abuse treatment. Substance abuse treatment centers typically have staff members who are extremely knowledgeable in how to help fund or use insurance to pay for addiction treatment. Substance abuse treatment can save families and individuals money in the long run, and many times Medicare or supplemental insurance can be used to help pay for the costs.
For an elderly individual, treatment may start with a primary care doctor who then may refer a person to a treatment program as needed. A detailed medical and mental health assessment as well as a drug screening may be done to help determine what level of care is best.
Addiction is a treatable disease, regardless of a person's age. There are numerous substance abuse and treatment options for Alcohol Addiction Treatment for Seniors, call to find out more at (877) 804-1531
Sources:
https://www.discoveryplace.info/rehab-medicare-ultimate-guide
http://www.rehabs.com/about/elderly/
https://www.ncadd.org/about-addiction/seniors/alcohol-drug-dependence-and-seniors