Age-Specific Drug Addiction Treatment for Midlife Adults

Getting sober is anything but easy, and that’s why it’s crucial to get the right support and treatment. Drug rehab centers are not one-size-fits-all, though, and some patients are better suited to one demographic versus another. For instance, you may opt for age-specific drug addiction treatment if you’re looking for a facility that caters to your age group. Age-specific rehab better addresses the underlying issues surrounding a patient’s addiction.

The data from a 2015 national survey found that more than 2.3 million adults aged 40 and older needed substance abuse treatment, and that number is expected to be as high as 5.7 million in 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Alcohol is by far the most abused drug among midlife adults, outpacing painkillers and heroin. The most commonly abused prescription drugs are hypnotics and sedatives, such as Ambien or Xanax, respectively.

Drug Use Risk Factors for Mid-Life Adults

You may be surprised to know how midlife adults are just as likely to develop a drug addiction as younger adults. Their reasons for starting to abuse drugs and/or alcohol are usually different, though.

Some of the reasons midlife adults develop substance abuse disorders include:

• Past drug use: Older adults are more than twice as likely to develop a substance abuse disorder after age 50 if they first took drugs between the ages of 17 and 20. Those who started alcohol or drugs before the age of 16 are four times more likely to have a substance abuse disorder later on.
• Emotional loss: It’s more common for older adults to experience grief and loss, such as the loss of a parent or spouse. Even retirement can leave an older adult feeling isolated and bored, which can lead to a substance abuse problem.
• Illness: Older adults are more likely to have a chronic health condition versus younger adults, and this can cause loss of mobility that leads to isolation. These negative emotions can cause depression that leads to coping with abuse of alcohol.
• Physiological aging: As the body ages, it has less water than younger people, which can reduce tolerance and make a person more sensitive to alcohol. Also, alcohol is metabolized more slowly in older people.
• Gender: Midlife men are more likely than midlife women to develop alcohol use disorder, but older women are more likely than their male counterparts to develop an addiction to prescription drugs.

Break Free from Addiction with Effective Substance Abuse Treatment for Midlife Adults

At Silver Ridge, we’re proud to offer drug addiction treatment for midlife adults in Asheville. We understand the unique challenges adults face at this stage of life and have built our program specifically to serve their needs in a meaningful, individualized way. Our holistic treatment program supports the physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing of our patients through a variety of research-backed treatment modalities.

By working with our team at Silver Ridge, you can rest our collaborative approach will meet your needs. Patients can engage in a variety of programs, from individual and group therapy, as well as fitness activities such as yoga and equine therapy. Our goal is to improve the balance in your life through reflection and intensive therapy.

Contact us at Silver Ridge to learn more about our compassionate care and substance abuse treatment for midlife adults in Asheville, North Carolina. Our admissions team can be reached 24/7 by dialing (855) 945-7788.