Drug Treatment Increases for Baby Boomers
Rates of admissions for people 50 and older for heroin, cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs have risen dramatically since 1992.
The American population is currently getting older as the “Baby Boomer” generation is now entering the retirement age. This trend can be seen in all walks of life — including in drug treatment. New research from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration shows that there has been a significant increase in the numbers of middle-aged Americans seeking treatment in drug and alcohol rehab centers.
Research announced in June showed that drug addiction treatment for people 50 and older doubled from 1992 to 2008. The percentage of older Americans seeking treatment for drug problems relating to heroin, cocaine, marijuana or prescription drugs spiked from 6.6 percent to 12 percent during that timeframe. In addition, the number of older people who reported having addictions to multiple substances tripled during the time frame studied.
Ironically, the increase in treatment of older Americans in drug rehab comes at a time when less older Americans are dealing with alcohol addiction. The SAMHSA report showed that while the vast majority of all addiction center treatments for people 50 and older were for alcohol addiction, those numbers are decreasing dramatically. 84.6 percent of all addiction center admissions in 1992 by people 50 and older were for alcohol abuse; that number fell to 59.9 percent in 2008.
Admissions into an addiction treatment program were up across the board for people 50 and older for a variety of different illicit substances. Rates of heroin abuse went up from 7.2 percent to 16 percent; cocaine abuse rates went from 2.9 percent to 11.4 percent; prescription drug abuse rates rose from 0.7 percent to 3.5 percent; and marijuana abuse increased from 0.6 percent to 2.9 percent.
“These findings show the changing scope of substance abuse problems in America.” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde in a press release announcing the findings. “The graying of drug users in America is an issue for any programs and communities providing health or social services for seniors.”