Drug Use and our Aging Population.

In modern times we are seeing people living for many years longer than they used to do. In former times the average lifespan was shorter, and more people died prematurely from disease and accidental causes. Today with medical support and surgical interventions, people are continuing to survive and live longer.

Many people are living into old age, with some form of disability. There are also social problems of isolation and separation from mainstream society that older people experience once they are retired, and no longer actively engaged in the workforce.

For most people, most of their lives have been taken up with earning money, raising a family and buying a family home. When people no longer work, the family has moved out, people are faced with a massive social change that affects what have been the most important things in their life.

Some people will make a happy adjustment to the changes that occur in our lives as we reach retirement age, others are totally at a loss, completely unprepared. Many people foster the idea of a contented retirement in which they will put into place all of the many things that they were unable to do when going out to work. However, the first problem that they will encounter is money.

One of the problems that a longer life expectation causes is a fear in many people that they will outlive their supply of money. Instead of spending their retirement money on golf clubs, cruises and holidays, many older people live frugally so as to conserve their supply of money. A lack of money is often seen as as impediment to a full enjoyment of life. Many people become depressed when their long awaited years of retirement don’t meet up with expectations.

Many older people also find that social activities designed for older citizens lack purpose and excitement. People don’t like to identify with others considered “old”, many old people retain a strong need to be self reliant, not in need of help. The result is that many older people become socially restricted and isolated rather than reveal their need for more help and support.

Part of the problem for older people is that our lifestyle is geared very much to making money and achieving success, We also favor the images we hold of the young, and the beautiful. We aspire to the lifestyle of someone who is young, beautiful and financially independent, perhaps with a touch of envy.

People with dependency needs are discouraged from seeking help. Most people in western cultures have an attitude that in some way, people with dependency needs are second rate, second class citizens. When people feel both old and in need of some help it can be very damaging self esteem, and bring on feelings of depression.

Older people whose options and choices are limited, who might feel anxious or depressed can easily fall prey to using substances to make themselves feel better. People who have been social drinkers might find that drinking more alcohol fills up their life, so that they don’t have to deal with their feelings of loss or isolation. Older people might use sleeping tablets, or antidepressants to serve a similar purpose.

In June this year, the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK has published a report on the problem of drug use and dependence among the aging population of Great Britain. The report calls aging drug dependent people the “invisible addicts” of society. It is predicted that in the UK the aging drug addicted population will increase by 50% between 2001 and 2031.

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The feelings that make older people turn to drug use are no different in principle to the feelings that people have at any age that make them want to experiment with, and find out what drug use can do to make them feel better about their situation in life.

Older people might feel discouraged from seeking help for drug dependence for much the same reasons as younger people. For older people the idea of seeking help for drug dependence might not seem worthwhile. Fine for young people to get off drugs and start a new happy life, but why bother when you are already old and over the hill.

Older people with drug dependence who really want to stop will find that with the Narconon treatment program they will be treated with respect. In time they will achieve more sense of direction and purpose – and gain new respect for themselves. When older people slip into drug use, it is just as much a national crisis as it is for youth. Narconon programs bring people of all ages new hope and confidence in themselves. Narconon uses drug free natural methods for complete addiction recovery. When people feel confident and happy in their lives – drug dependency disappears.