Alcohol & Drug Rehab For Seniors in Alabama (17)

Alabama Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs for Seniors

Much like other areas of the country, senior citizens in Alabama are increasingly at high risk for drug and alcohol addiction. Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that 72 seniors in Alabama succumbed to fatal opioid overdose in 2017, representing a significant increase from 58 in 2016 and 36 in 2018. Additional substance use threats like alcohol, prescription benzos and more are an increasingly common reality for seniors, mandating addiction access to treatment in Alabama and every other state in the country.

Alcohol and drug rehabs for seniors must provide targeted and specialized care to address the unique and specific conditions associated with age-related substance abuse.

What’s Driving Addiction Among Seniors in Alabama?

Today’s elderly American is at unprecedented vulnerability for substance use disorder. A number of factors are driving this vulnerability, including but not limited to psychological and mental health issues associated with the aging process like depression and anxiety, cultural factors carried over from the youthful behavior of the Baby Boom generation, and the body’s decreasing ability to break down and properly metabolize powerful prescriptions.

Treatment for substance use disorder among seniors must incorporate comprehensive medical and behavioral healthcare, including detox, rehab, medication management and more to address the full breadth of the issue and help seniors reclaim agency and ownership over their lives.

An Often-Overlooked Issue

Nobody wants to believe that our parent or grandparent is abusing alcohol or other drugs. It’s jarring to think that a person who made it so far in life and accomplished so much can be ensnared by substance abuse. The reality is, however, that it does happen, and it’s very often up to loved ones to recognize and address the behavior. If you or an elderly loved one has fallen victim to alcohol and drug addiction, start browsing our database of treatment centers today to begin the process of finding treatment.

Resources:

• Opioid Overdose Deaths by Age Group - www.kff.org