Recovery for Seniors How Age-Specific Addiction Treatment Addresses Unique Challenges
Substance use disorders among adults over 65 are underdiagnosed, undertreated, and rising at a rate that public health systems are not prepared to manage. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that by 2030, the number of older adults with a substance use disorder will double relative to 2000 figures. Despite that trend, most addiction treatment programs are designed around a younger adult demographic, with programming, peer groups, and therapeutic approaches that do not address the specific medical, psychological, and social realities of aging. This creates a significant gap in care quality for seniors who need treatment but find that the available options do not fit their circumstances.