Alcohol & Drug Rehab For Seniors in Alaska (12)

Alcohol & Drug Addiction Treatment Centers For Seniors in Alaska

Like the rest of the country, Alaska’s senior population is an unprecedented risk for substance use disorder (SUD). The explosion of prescription opioid and benzodiazepine abuse among this group, as well as cultural carryovers from the more liberal baby boomer generation, have created a whole new generation of over-sixty addicts. This demographic requires specialized levels of care that can cater to their unique care needs and increasing health vulnerabilities. There is, however, evidence to suggest that fatal overdoses among Alaska’s senior population are declining. Data from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation reports that in 2016, there were fifteen overdose deaths among residents fifty-five and over compared to eighteen in 2015.

Alaska’s Alcohol and Drug Rehab Resources for Seniors

Ample care resources exist to help Alaska’s aging population overcome their SUD. Most of the state’s drug and alcohol rehab facilities are concentrated within the state’s urban areas, such as Juneau, Anchorage, and Wasilla. Many senior alcohol and drug rehabs may be covered under prospective patients’ Medicare plans; however, this coverage extends largely to outpatient programs. Detox is typically covered by Medicare, but coverage for rehab varies. Ask the intake professionals at your prospective facility about your coverage options. And while It can be incredibly difficult coming to terms with the reality that an elderly loved one is struggling with SUD, once the problem is identified, it’s imperative that they get help immediately, before their drug or alcohol use escalates any further.