Older Adult Addiction Common, Deadly and Treatable

Tuesday July 17 11:00 PM

When Japan's 61-year old Prince Tomohito spoke publicly about his treatment for alcoholism recently, he helped to lift some of the stigma attached to the disease of addiction for those in Japan and elsewhere who need treatment.

The prince's alcoholism since college days, and the progression of the disease was veiled in secrecy, but older adults who suffer from addiction do not seek treatment due to shame and stigma. Studies in the U.S. how that over 70 percent of all older adult hospital admissions are related to alcohol or medication abuse. Prince Tomohito's serious medical history prior to treatment is most probably linked to decades of alcoholism.

Addiction among older adults is usually misdiagnosed because symptoms mimic age-related diseases, and families often believe nothing can be done anyway. But older adults who receive quality age-specific treatment recover more successfully than other age groups, says Carol Colleran, older adult addiction expert and executive vice president of Hanley Center, West Palm Beach, Florida, and a pioneer in older adult treatment.

"People need to understand that the disease of addiction is progressive, that it is usually denied and that treatment works," said Colleran. "Older adults in successful recovery may gain years, even decades of enhanced quality of life and health. Without treatment, the disease is ultimately fatal."

Kurihama National Hospital's Susumu Higuchi, M.D., told Psychiatric News that Japanese men in their 50's probably drink twice as much as their American contemporaries, yet alcoholism itself carries significant stigma in Japan. As this cohort ages, the prevalence of older adult addiction and medical complications threatens to explode.

The latest survey by Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) found that almost 2.5 million Japanese are alcoholics or heavy drinkers. Sixty percent of heavy drinkers are men, with after-work drinking the common norm.

Many are at risk for late onset addiction, which can be due to moderate to heavy drinking patterns, and often is a consequence of unhealthy coping with major life changes, stresses, and family problems. Many self-medicate for chronic pain.

The Center for Older Adult Treatment at Hanley Center, which accepts those aged 55 and up, includes a male-specific program. Addressing male issues in a separate peer setting is part of a successful holistic treatment protocol. And according to Colleran, older adult addiction treatment not only must address co-morbidity issues, medication complications and the aging process, but also generational values. Treatment with one's age peers is more effective for older adults, who value respect and are more comfortable sharing life experiences with each other. A slower detoxification, longer treatment program and age-adjusted wellness program are designed for older individuals.

About the Hanley Center

Established in 1986, the Hanley Center pioneered older adult treatment and offers innovative gender-specific treatment and professional training. education and prevention services for alcoholism and substance abuse. The Hanley Center is located at 5200 East Avenue in West Palm Beach. For more information about the Hanley Center, please call (561) 841-1000 or toll free (800) 444-7008.

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