Dual Disorders in Geriatrics

There are two types of elderly addicts: those who become addicted to drugs or alcohol before age 65, termed “early-onset addicts”, and those who do so after age 65, termed “late-onset addicts.” Early-onset addicts are those who have abused drugs and alcohol throughout their lifetime, becoming dependent and addicted to illicit substances at a younger age and perpetuating this addiction as age advances. This group of elderly addicts is thought to make up two-thirds of the geriatric alcoholic population and may have more physical and psychiatric issues than late-onset addicts, according to the Psychiatric Times.

The New York Times further publishes that between 14 and 20 percent of the elderly population have suffered from either a mental health disorder, substance abuse disorder, or both, according to a national survey in 2010. Mental illness often co-occurs with substance abuse. Those diagnosed with a mood disorder may be twice as likely to also battle a drug abuse disorder, NIDA reports. In fact, psychiatric disorders and substance abuse may occur as often as between 21 and 66 percent of the time. As we age, physical and mental capacities may deteriorate further blurring the lines between substance dependence and mental illness.

Stressful life changes that often occur as we age may increase the incidence of drug or alcohol abuse, which can develop into a late-onset addiction. For instance, as age advances, loved ones or significant others may pass away, living situations can change, retirement begins, and physical maladies may increase. Drinking or using drugs may begin as a method of coping with these difficult psychological and physical changes.

 

 

  • Abstinence
  • Criticism
  • Holistic treatment

Related Conference of Dual Disorders in Geriatrics

June 23-24, 2025

11th International Conference on Epilepsy & Treatment

Aix-en-Provence, France
July 17-18, 2025

31st Annual Summit on Neuroscience & Neurological Disorders

Amsterdam, Netherlands
July 23-24, 2025

15th Global Alzheimers Summit

Paris, France
July 28-29, 2025

35th World Congress on Neurology and Neuroscience

Paris, France
August 25-26, 2025

20th Annual Congress on Neuroscience

Aix-en-Provence, France
September 04-05, 2025

10th Annual Neurologists and Neurosurgeons Meet

Vancouver, Canada
September 15-16, 2025

39th European Neurology Congress

Aix-en-Provence, France
September 25-26, 2025

12th Annual congress on Stroke and Neurological Disorders

Zurich, Switzerland
October 20-21, 2025

7th World Brain Congress

Osaka, Japan
October 23-24, 2025

8th Global Congress on Spine and Spinal Disorders

London, UK
October 29-30, 2025

5th Annual Dementia Congress

Amsterdam, Netherlands
November 13-14, 2025

32nd Cognitive Neuroscience Congress

Bali, Indonesia
December 04-05, 2025

17th Global Neurologists Meeting on Neurology and Neurosurgery

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dual Disorders in Geriatrics Conference Speakers

    Recommended Sessions

    Related Journals

    Are you interested in