Substance abuse disorders on the rise among older residents
There has been a rise of addictive behaviors and mental health issues among the senior population since COVID and the devastation of Hurricane Ian.
Post Hurricane Ian, centers of all types have seen an increase in addiction and substance abuse disorder in the older adult demographic, LPG Behavioral Health System Director Dawn Belamarich said, adding increases have been seen at outpatient clinics, hospitals and SalusCare since September,
“The trauma of the storm and COVID, there has been a rise in alcohol use disorders and addictive behaviors as well,” Belamarich said.
The increase is not limited to prescription drugs.
Although Lee Health’s numbers are not broken down by age, from April 2022 through March 2023, they have conducted 24,605 visits with patients needing mental health and addiction treatment, both inpatient and outpatient care. During that same period, 3,580 visits were in Lee Health’s addiction medicine clinic.
According to a study in the peer-reviewed journal, JAMA Psychiatry, hospitalizations for opioid overuse among Medicare beneficiaries increased by 10 percent each year between 1993 and 2012 with an average 211,200 patients hospitalized every year.
In addition to substance abuse and mental health issues, smoking and alcohol use is also on the rise for seniors.
In Southwest Florida there is more of an island kind of vibe, a vacation vibe where drinking more sociable is acceptable and is normalized in the culture, Belamarich said.
The path to take when someone suspects an addiction, or substance abuse is to speak up and talk to the person, to have a conversation and show support.
“Ask those questions, so we can line them up with the correct resources based on their needs,” Belamarich said. “The more we can talk about it, the more we can find resources to get them the help they need.”
Addiction lives in the shadows and people do not talk about it openly but addiction is a disease and there is no shame in reaching out for help, she said.
Loved ones should look for behaviors that are not typically representative of that individual, or if they start doing things outside of their routine. Those with an addictive use disorder can also become isolative by checking out off friend and social groups.
“The biggest trigger is a change in the norm,” Belamarich said.
If there is addiction or substance abuse, she encourages people to call the Behavioral Health Program at Lee Health. There are outpatient services that provide medication and counseling to help stabilize an addictive disorder.
There also is a mobile for crisis response team for mental health, Center for Progress Excellence. Belamarich said the licensed workers will deploy to the home for a mental health emergency.
There also are support groups for families and individuals struggling with substance abuse, as well as inpatient treatment if needed. There are Nar-Anon and Al-Anon meetings for the individuals who are taking care of their loved ones.
For additional information, visit www.leehealth.org.
Other resources include:
• Dubin Center: https://dubincenter.com/
• The Rizzie Difference: https://www.therizzidifference.com/
• Ellie Mental Health: www.elliementalhealth.com