Benshoff, John J. & Laura K. Harrawood, Darwin Shane Koch. (Apr-May 2003) "Substance abuse and the elderly: unique issues and concerns." Journal of Rehabilitation. Journal article retrieved from Find Articles Health & Fitness database on 25 Oct 2005 athttp://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0825/is_2_69/ai This article by John J. Benshoff, Laura K. Harrawood, and Darwin Shane Koch entitled "Substance abuse and the elderly: unique issues and concerns," attempts to understand why alcohol abuse amongst the elderly (defined as individuals over the age of 65 for the purposes of the article) has gone largely ignored in issues pertaining to rehabilitation and the field of geriatric medicine. The article also attempts to gain inkling upon the scope of the problem of substance abuse in the elderly population. The article admits while "various sources of data suggest that alcohol problems are ordinary events, but largely unrecognized in this population, and estimates of the prevalence of heavy drinking or alcohol abuse range from 2% to 20% for this population," a strikingly and unhelpfully wide range for individuals involved in the field of substance abuse treatmentand prevention. (Benshoff, Harrawood, Koch, 2003, p.1)

The article concludes that there is virtually no hard data exist to quantify drug use, abuse, and dependence patterns amongst the elderly. However, the sheer size of this population means that the size of potential problems for society and families can only grow, given the elderly's longer lifespans in the age of modern medicine. Also, the current generation of elderly has been more exposed to drugs and alcohol, at earlier times during the collective maturing process of the 'baby boomers.' This means that there may be a higher rate of long-term alcoholics and drug users, with more ingrained health problems that the health care system must deal with in the future.

Article Summary

Several reasons have been suggested for the lack of information and attention about alcohol abuse in the elderly. Drug abuse and dependence research tends to be driven by the federal agenda to limit crime, causing a focus on younger populations who deal as well as use drugs. The...

While this is commendable, it cannot be ignored that drug use appears to negatively affect the health of the elderly at a higher rate than other populations. "Data suggest detrimental drug reactions occur 3 to 7 times more often for older adults." (Benshoff, Harrawood, Koch, 2003, p.1, citing Crandall, 1991). 12% to 17% of acute hospital admissions for adverse drug reactions occur in the elderly population (Benshoff, Harrawood, Koch, 2003, p.1, citing Crandall, 1991). Also, yesterday's young users have become today's elderly. "Two-thirds of elderly individuals with alcoholism problems are early onset drinkers" and individuals who survive the rigors of alcoholism problems in earlier life often have significant mental and physical health complications Yet the focus of law enforcement, treatment, and the media remains on popular illicit drugs, often to the exclusion of other drugs and other drug related behaviors. (Benshoff, Harrawood, Koch, 2003, p.2)
The elderly do not fit the traditional profile of illicit drug users, as they often turn to the legal drug of alcohol, even if they used illicit drugs earlier in life. This is called 'aging out' into alcoholism. (Benshoff, Harrawood, Koch, 2003, p. 1) Abuse of prescription drugs, which can be mixed with alcohol is another way the elderly can abuse narcotics. "Extensive data exist about prescription and over the counter drug use by the elderly. Although elderly individuals make-up 12.4% of the population, they consume 25% to 30% of all prescription drugs (Benshoff, Harrawood, Koch, 2003, p.1, citing Ondus et al., 1999). However, far less reliable data exists in terms of how unnecessary or problematic this use might be.

Personal Thoughts

At times, the authors of this article seem to make assertions to 'protect' the elderly population they are describing, with little support for their conclusions. Despite increased publicity about prescription drug abuse and misuse in society overall, they assert intentional abuse of prescription medications to get high amongst the elderly population is thought to be rare. Then, in their next paragraph the authors…